Eli Lilly’s Retatrutide Delivers More Than Twice the Weight Loss of Ozempic
In a landmark head-to-head clinical trial, Eli Lilly’s next-generation weight-loss drug retatrutide outperformed Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, delivering more than twice the weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes. The results could reshape the rapidly growing obesity-drug market.
Results from the Phase 3 TRANSCEND-T2D-2 trial, released on October 28, 2026, showed that participants taking retatrutide lost substantially more weight over 80 weeks than those taking Ozempic’s highest approved 2 mg dose:
- Retatrutide, 9 mg: Average weight loss of 44.3 lbs (19.5%).
- Retatrutide, 12 mg: Average weight loss of 47.4 lbs (20.9%).
- Ozempic, 2 mg: Average weight loss of 20.9 lbs (9.4%).
The study enrolled more than 1,000 adults whose type 2 diabetes was not adequately controlled by existing medication.
Retatrutide also led to greater improvements in blood sugar control. Both doses lowered A1C by an average of 2.2%, compared with 1.8% for Ozempic. The drug also showed superior improvements in non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure.
However, more participants stopped treatment because of side effects in the retatrutide groups:
- Retatrutide, 9 mg: 4.8% discontinued treatment.
- Retatrutide, 12 mg: 7.9% discontinued treatment.
- Ozempic: 2.7% discontinued treatment.
Dr. Kenneth Custer, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, called the results a pivotal milestone in cardiometabolic care. Retatrutide, a so-called “triple-G” drug that targets three hormone receptors—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—is not yet FDA-approved and is expected to fuel Lilly’s next major growth phase.
Source: PR Newswire – Eli Lilly Official Press Release, October 28, 2026