Lilly stated sufferers taking Zepbound misplaced about 20% of their weight on common in contrast with practically 14% for Wegovy. The drug maker additionally stated extra sufferers taking Zepbound achieved not less than 25% weight reduction.
Shares of Eli Lilly climbed on Wednesday after the drug maker detailed a research displaying that its blockbuster weight-loss drug Zepbound helped sufferers shed extra kilos than Wegovy from rival Novo Nordisk.
Sufferers taking Zepbound misplaced about 20% of their weight on common in contrast with practically 14% for Wegovy, stated Lilly, including that extra sufferers taking Zepbound achieved not less than 25% weight reduction.
The research outcomes ought to assist gas Zepbound’s accelerating market-share positive factors, Leerink Companions analyst David Risinger stated in a analysis be aware.
The drug introduced in $1.3bn (€1.2bn) in gross sales for Lilly on this yr’s third quarter, lower than a yr after it hit the market.
The research monitored 751 individuals from the US and Puerto Rico who took most tolerated doses of both Zepbound or Wegovy for greater than a yr.
The outcomes affirm what separate research for every drug had already indicated. The US Meals and Drug Administration permitted Zepbound final yr after the drug helped individuals lose as a lot as 40 to 60 kilos (18 to 27 kilograms) in testing.
Research of Wegovy confirmed that the drug helped individuals lose about 34 kilos (15 kilograms) or about 15% of their weight. Regulators permitted Wegovy in 2021.
Each medicine are completely different variations of the diabetes therapies Mounjaro and Ozempic from Lilly and Novo, respectively.
Shares of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co rose practically 2.4%, or about $19 (€18.1), to $833.21 (€794.93) after the information. US-traded shares of Denmark’s Novo Nordisk have been additionally up barely.
Lilly’s inventory hit an all-time excessive of $972.53 (€927.85) in August, in accordance with FactSet.