Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk presented new data at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, showcasing next-generation weight-loss treatments designed to increase efficacy and improve patient convenience. The presentations focused on combination therapies, oral transitions from injectables, and long-acting formulations, BioPharma Dive reported.
Eli Lilly combines Zepbound with eloralintide for 23% weight loss
Eli Lilly shared Phase 2 trial results for a combination therapy pairing Zepbound with eloralintide, a drug that stimulates the digestive hormone amylin. Participants receiving the highest doses of the combination over 48 weeks lost 23% of their body weight, averaging approximately 54 pounds. In contrast, those receiving only the high dose of Zepbound lost 15%, while those on eloralintide alone lost a maximum of 12%.
Analysts suggest this combination may offer a different tolerability profile. Andy Hsieh of William Blair noted that eloralintide and similar amylin-targeting drugs could provide a “softer” weight-loss option with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Umer Raffat of Evercore ISI suggested a clinical strategy where patients start with the more tolerable eloralintide and add Zepbound if higher weight loss is required. David Risinger, an analyst at Leerink Research, forecasts that eloralintide could reach $23 billion in sales by 2035.
Novo Nordisk reports additional weight loss from Wegovy pill transition
Novo Nordisk presented “real world” data conducted with its direct-to-consumer partner, Ro, regarding patients transitioning from injectable GLP-1 treatments to an oral version of Wegovy. The study tracked de-identified patient data for those who switched from either the Wegovy shot or Zepbound to the Wegovy pill.
Patients who remained on the pill for at least three months lost an additional 4.1% of their body weight on average. Novo Nordisk reported that the percentage of participants classified as obese dropped from 87% to 66% during the study. Louis Aronne, a study investigator and director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, stated that these insights show how the pill can help individualize obesity care.
Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie present obesity drug data
Other pharmaceutical firms presented data on in-licensed assets aimed at specific patient populations or reduced dosing frequencies:
- Boehringer Ingelheim: The company detailed results for survodutide, a shot licensed from Zealand Pharma that targets both GLP-1 and glucagon. In a trial focusing on patients with both obesity and diabetes, those who remained on survodutide lost an average of 13% of their body weight, compared to 3% for the placebo group.
- AbbVie: The company presented Phase 1 data for ABBV-295, a long-acting amylin-targeting drug licensed from Gubra for $350 million. The drug aims to extend the interval between injections to once monthly. One-third of participants on the experimental drug experienced nausea, compared to one-fifth of the placebo group.
Comparing next-generation obesity treatment data
| Drug/Combination | Target/Mechanism | Reported Weight Loss | Primary Advantage Cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound + Eloralintide | GLP-1 / Amylin | 23% (High dose) | Higher efficacy than monotherapy |
| Wegovy Pill (Transition) | GLP-1 (Oral) | +4.1% (Additional) | Patient convenience/Individualized care |
| Survodutide | GLP-1 / Glucagon | 13% (Obesity + Diabetes) | Efficacy in comorbid populations |
| ABBV-295 | Amylin | 8% to 10% | Reduced injection frequency (Monthly) |
Common questions about the EASD obesity data
What is the difference between GLP-1 and amylin-targeting drugs?
While GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy target the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor to regulate appetite and insulin, amylin-targeting drugs like eloralintide and ABBV-295 stimulate a different digestive hormone. Analysts cited in the BioPharma Dive report suggest amylin-based treatments may have fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Can patients switch from a weight-loss shot to a pill without losing progress?
According to Novo Nordisk’s real-world data from the Ro partnership, patients who switched from the Wegovy or Zepbound shots to the Wegovy pill not only maintained their progress but lost an additional 4.1% of their body weight over three months.
How does survodutide differ from current market leaders?
Unlike single-target drugs, survodutide is a dual-agonist that targets both GLP-1 and glucagon. Boehringer Ingelheim data presented at EASD specifically demonstrated its efficacy in the “challenging population” of patients suffering from both obesity and diabetes.
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