Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro shows similar heart health benefits as Trulicity

Introduction to Mounjaro

Eli Lilly on Thursday said its blockbuster diabetes drug Mounjaro showed heart health benefits in a late-stage trial directly comparing it to the company’s older diabetes treatment, Trulicity. Mounjaro met the study’s main goal of showing that it wasn’t any worse than Trulicity at treating people with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Eli Lilly said it believes the new data bolsters the case for Mounjaro to be prescribers’ first choice for patients with Type 2 diabetes, who are twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as those without the disease.

Trial Results

The results come as Trulicity – also a top-selling drug for Eli Lilly – faces a patent expiration in 2027, which could further boost Mounjaro’s position in the diabetes market. Mounjaro met the main goal of the nearly five-year study, reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke by 8% when compared to Trulicity in adults with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But the results did not meet some analysts’ benchmarks for being considered superior to Trulicity.

Comprehensive Benefits

Still, the company said Mounjaro showed additional, "more comprehensive" benefits over Trulicity in the trial, including a 16% lower rate of death from any cause and greater kidney protection. It was the longest and largest trial to date on tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, enrolling more than 13,000 people.

Clinician Reactions

Some clinicians said the results, particularly the lowered risk of cardiovascular events, aren’t surprising, as they assumed Mounjaro would be able to offer cardiovascular benefits. But the difference in the rate of death from any cause between Mounjaro and Trulicity is "really quite profound" and "definitely something clinically meaningful to us as clinicians," said Dr. David Broome, clinical assistant professor at the department of internal medicine’s metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes division at the University of Michigan.

Prescribing Decisions

He said the data helped quantify the difference between Mounjaro and Trulicity, which will further help providers and patients determine the best treatment to move forward with in their shared decision-making. Broome said those prescribing decisions between patients and providers will ultimately depend on several factors, such as their insurance coverage, the side effects of a given drug and how well the patient tolerates them.

Market Implications

The results also come as Eli Lilly solidifies its lead over Novo Nordisk in the booming market for weight loss and diabetes drugs. Studies from both companies have shown the added health benefits of their drugs for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease. Eli Lilly plans to submit the heart health data to global regulators by the end of the year, and the company said that could lead to approvals — and by extension insurance coverage — of Mounjaro for this purpose in 2026.

Future Approvals

Any approvals would not apply to Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound, which shares the same active ingredient as Mounjaro but is specifically cleared for patients with obesity and not diabetes. The company is currently studying Zepbound’s cardiovascular benefits in patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. The phase three trial is expected to wrap up in 2027, according to Eli Lilly’s website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the trial results show that Mounjaro has heart health benefits and may be a better choice for patients with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The results also solidify Eli Lilly’s lead in the diabetes market and may lead to future approvals and insurance coverage for Mounjaro.

FAQs

Q: What is Mounjaro and what is it used for?
A: Mounjaro is a diabetes drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, used to treat Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
Q: What were the results of the trial comparing Mounjaro to Trulicity?
A: The trial showed that Mounjaro reduced the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke by 8% compared to Trulicity, and also had a 16% lower rate of death from any cause and greater kidney protection.
Q: What do clinicians think about the trial results?
A: Clinicians believe the results are promising and show that Mounjaro may be a better choice for patients with Type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
Q: Will the trial results lead to future approvals and insurance coverage for Mounjaro?
A: Yes, Eli Lilly plans to submit the heart health data to global regulators by the end of the year, which could lead to approvals and insurance coverage for Mounjaro in 2026.
Q: How does Mounjaro compare to other diabetes drugs on the market?
A: Mounjaro has shown comprehensive benefits over Trulicity, including a lower rate of death from any cause and greater kidney protection, solidifying Eli Lilly’s lead in the diabetes market.