A Comparison of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's Obesity Shots

A recent study using real-world health records further supports the notion that Eli Lilly's obesity shot, Zepbound, is a more effective weight loss treatment compared to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy.

While previous randomized controlled trials have indicated that overweight and obese patients using Zepbound tend to lose more weight than those using Wegovy, a head-to-head trial is still underway to definitively determine which drug is superior.

In an effort to provide additional evidence in favor of Zepbound, health data company Truveta conducted a new study. Although the paper has not undergone peer review yet, it was published as a preprint before Thanksgiving. The study utilized electronic health records data from various U.S. healthcare systems compiled by Truveta. Included in the study were records of over 40,000 overweight or obese patients, of which 75% had been prescribed Novo's drug, while 25% had been prescribed Lilly's.

It is important to note that the study specifically focused on patients who were prescribed the versions of the drugs approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment—Lilly's Mounjaro and Novo's Ozempic. However, the study encompassed patients both with and without Type 2 diabetes.

The results revealed that patients taking Lilly's drug were more likely to experience significant weight loss compared to those taking Novo's drug, with greater weight loss observed after three, six, and twelve months.

On average, patients on Mounjaro experienced a weight loss of 15.2% after twelve months, while patients on Ozempic had a weight loss of 7.9%. Furthermore, 42.3% of patients on Mounjaro achieved a weight loss of at least 15% within a year, in contrast to only 19.3% of those on Ozempic. Patients on Mounjaro typically took 134 days to lose 5% of their body weight, while those on Ozempic required 215 days.

In conclusion, this new study supports the idea that Eli Lilly's Zepbound may be the more effective obesity shot when compared to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. However, the ongoing head-to-head trial will provide a more conclusive answer in due time.

The Latest Findings on Weight Loss Medicines

By Josh Nathan-Kazis

Recent findings have shed light on the effectiveness of two weight loss medicines, Ozempic and Lilly's Mounjaro. These results confirm previous observations made in separate randomized trials, as well as a head-to-head trial involving diabetes patients.

One possible explanation for the difference in efficacy lies in the design of Lilly's Mounjaro. While Ozempic only activates the GLP-1 receptor in the body, Mounjaro targets both the GLP-1 receptor and an additional receptor called GIP. This dual action may account for the perceived superior efficacy of Lilly's drug.

When approached for comment, Lilly clarified that it had not sponsored the study and emphasized that it does not endorse off-label use of its medicines. Novo, on the other hand, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lilly is currently conducting its own head-to-head trial comparing its drug with Novo's, but the data from this trial will not be available until 2025.

In the short term, the relative efficacy of these medicines is unlikely to significantly impact the revenues of Lilly and Novo, as the demand for both Wegovy and Zepbound continues to exceed supply. However, in the long term, both companies are still navigating their positions within the ever-evolving market for new weight loss drugs. This market may soon include oral alternatives and potentially more effective injectables that are currently in development.

Despite these findings, Lilly shares experienced a slight decline of 1% on Monday, while Novo's American depositary receipt also saw a 1% dip.