An experimental weekly treatment called retatrutide has delivered notable results for adults living with type 2 diabetes and excess weight. In the Phase 3 TRIUMPH-2 trial, participants receiving the highest dose recorded an average body-weight reduction of 20.8% over 80 weeks.
A multi-pathway approach to metabolic health
The study included 1,152 adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. Alongside nutrition and physical-activity guidance, participants received weekly retatrutide injections at 4 mg, 9 mg or 12 mg doses, while another group received placebo.
At the 12 mg dose, the average reduction equalled 22.5 kilograms. Participants receiving 9 mg lost 19.1% of their starting weight, compared with 12.7% in the 4 mg group and 4% in the placebo group. Among those beginning the study with a BMI of 35 or above, 59.5% of people using the highest dose no longer met the BMI threshold for obesity by the trial's conclusion.
Blood sugar control also improved
Retatrutide was also associated with improved HbA1c levels, a measure of average blood glucose over roughly three months. The average reduction reached about 1.6 percentage points. Around 40% of participants using the two higher doses achieved HbA1c readings below 5.7%, compared with 4.4% in the placebo group.
Developed by Eli Lilly, retatrutide activates three hormone receptors: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon. This combination is designed to support appetite regulation, glucose management and energy expenditure at the same time.
Researchers monitored gastrointestinal tolerability throughout the trial, as digestive effects were more frequently reported at higher doses. The findings were published in The Lancet and presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting.
As longer-term research progresses, triple-hormone therapies could help shape a more personalized future for metabolic care by addressing weight and blood sugar through a single integrated approach.
