A phase II study examining a novel triple-hormone receptor agonist Retatrutide led to significant weight loss in obese people. It combines agonism with three important hormones that affect appetite and metabolism, has been proven in two phase 2 studies to cause weight loss at levels never before seen safely.

Over 600 adults with overweight or obesity, with or without type 2 diabetes, or both, participated in the study. For 48 weeks, participants were given subcutaneous Retatrutide or placebo at random. The percentage change in body weight from baseline to 24 weeks was the primary end objective, and additional endpoints included the percentage change in body weight from baseline to 48 weeks and a weight loss of at least 5%, at least 10%, or at least 15%. The study also evaluated the safety profile of the drug.

The results showed an average of 24% reduction from baseline bodyweight in 338 randomized individuals with overweight or obesity and no type 2 diabetes who were given Retatrutide at a 12-mg dose given by weekly subcutaneous injection (the maximum dose studied) and a weight reduction of about 17% from baseline among 281 randomized individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity after 36 weeks of therapy, with the same dose. The weight reduction was safe with common side effects of gastrointestinal and dose-dependent heart rate increase peaking at 24 weeks and then dropping.

Researchers concluded that administering Retatrutide to adults with obesity for 48 weeks led to significant decreases in body weight.

(Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/993714

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972)