Interest is growing in retatrutide, a next-generation obesity treatment currently under development, as clinical results have been released. In a Phase 3 trial conducted by Eli Lilly, participants in the high-dose group experienced an average weight loss of 28.3% at 80 weeks and 30.3% at 104 weeks.
Retatrutide is a novel drug candidate classified as a 'triple agonist,' stimulating GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. According to the TRIUMPH-1 results released by Eli Lilly in May, participants receiving 12 mg showed an average weight loss of 28.3% over 80 weeks. Among those who participated in a pre-planned extension study with an initial BMI of 35 or higher, the average weight loss at 104 weeks was 30.3%, equating to approximately 38.5 kg (85 pounds). The 9 mg group lost 29.5%, while the 4 mg group lost 27.9%.
Notably, 45.3% of participants in the 12 mg group achieved a weight loss of over 30% at the 80-week mark. The percentage of those losing more than 25% was 62.5%, and over 35% was 27.2%. However, these figures represent averages from specific clinical trial conditions and do not imply that all participants will experience the same level of weight loss.
Among the side effects, 'dysesthesia' was particularly notable. According to Eli Lilly's data, the incidence rates were 5.1% for the 4 mg group, 12.3% for the 9 mg group, and 12.5% for the 12 mg group, compared to 0.9% in the placebo group. Most cases were mild to moderate, and symptoms often resolved during treatment, but 11.3% of participants in the 12 mg group discontinued due to adverse reactions.
Retatrutide has also shown potential for improving liver fat levels, as reported in a separate study. A Phase 2 study published in 2024 in 'Nature Medicine' indicated that participants receiving 12 mg experienced an 86% reduction in liver fat over 48 weeks, with 93% of participants reducing liver fat content to below 5%. However, these figures differ from the weight loss results in the current Phase 3 trial.
Eli Lilly has not yet launched retatrutide for sale, and it has not been approved by any regulatory agency. The company plans to submit a request for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first quarter of 2027. Consequently, any 'retatrutide' products currently available online are not approved medications, and Eli Lilly warns against using these products outside of clinical trials.
Additionally, Eli Lilly is conducting the TRIUMPH-5 Phase 3 trial, which directly compares the effects of retatrutide with those of the existing drug tirzepatide. Approximately 800 participants are involved in this study, which aims to compare the two treatments directly.
Online reactions to the news have been mixed. Some users expressed skepticism, saying, 'Developing a domestic obesity drug is just a waste of money,' while others were more optimistic, commenting, 'Can it really be a game-changer?' and 'Reducing appetite and increasing basal metabolic rate is the best.' Some users remarked, 'I should try it for my liver,' and 'Exercising to lose weight is a thing of the past.'
However, concerns about pricing have also emerged, with comments like, 'The price is double that of Mounjaro,' and 'If it's set at 500,000 won a month, that would total 13 million won over 26 months, but that's based on Mounjaro's pricing; this one will likely be more expensive.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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