From new trial data to cost comparisons with surgery, a wave of new findings is adding to the framework of how GLP-1s are being used and tested.
Here are five recent GLP-1 developments:
- Eli Lilly said its experimental oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron outperformed Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide in a 52-week phase 3 study analyzing 1,698 adults with Type 2 diabetes. The highest dose of orforglipron lowered average blood sugar by 2.2%, compared to 1.4% for semaglutide and patients lost an average of 9.2% of their weight versus 5.3% with Novo Nordisk’s pill.
- Eli Lilly also said its injectable GLP-1 Mounjaro helped children ages 10-17 with Type 2 diabetes reduce blood sugar levels by an average of 2% and lose more than 10% of their weight in a yearlong study, Bloomberg reported Sept. 17. Eli Lilly submitted results from the study to regulators, which could make Mounjaro the first GLP-1 to be cleared for pediatric use.
- A study by Swiss Re projected that widespread GLP-1 use could reduce all-cause mortality in the U.S. by 6.4% by 2045, with more modest declines in the U.K.
- Research published in JAMA Surgery by Highmark Health found that bariatric surgery offers greater weight loss and lower costs compared to GLP-1 drugs. In patients with severe obesity, bariatric surgery resulted in nearly three times as much weight loss as medications and cut healthcare costs by 18% over two years, saving nearly $12,000 per patient.
- Novo Nordisk also plans to seeks regulatory approval in the U.S. for its high-dose version shot of Wegovy to help regain its leading position in the obesity market, Bloomberg reported Sept. 16.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.