LLY.US announced three-year clinical data for the weight loss drug Zepbound, showing that continued use can maintain a 95% weight loss effect.

A study of long-term users of the weight loss injection drug Zepbound by Eli Lilly and Company (LLY.US) showed that patients who regularly use the drug usually experience weight rebound of no more than 5% of the weight lost within three years, with the majority of people experiencing a rebound of less than 5%. A study funded by Eli Lilly found that patients on average reached their lowest weight in nearly two years, followed by an average rebound of about 3.7% over the next 18 months. This conclusion is based on a new analysis of 690 patients, and the research results will be presented at the European Obesity Congress in Spain next month. Eli Lilly released preliminary data last year from this three-year trial (the longest study period for Zepbound so far), showing that patients receiving the highest 15 mg dose of the drug lost an average of 23% of their weight. A new analysis led by Louis Aronne of Weill Cornell Medical College found that after accounting for weight rebound, the actual average weight loss rate is close to 19%. As maintaining the weight loss effect is a major challenge in obesity treatment, doctors and patients are eager to know whether the efficacy of such groundbreaking new drugs will diminish over time. The research results suggest that continuing to use drugs like Zepbound can achieve long-term effectiveness. Similarly, a study of 17,000 people sponsored by Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B and competitor drug Wegovy also showed weight stability three years after medication. These drugs may be more long-lasting than other interventions. Comparative studies show that patients who undergo weight loss surgery experience an average rebound of about 13% after three years (data from a large prospective cohort study). Justin Ryder, associate professor of surgery and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, who was not involved in the study, pointed out that the initial weight loss phase lasted nearly two years. However, he also noted that some patients still experience rebound even with the highest dose, indicating that they need additional support. Continuous medication is necessary However, adherence to medication is crucial. Previous studies have shown that patients who completely stop using Zepbound experience significant weight rebound. "It's like taking blood pressure or blood sugar medications," Aronne said in an interview, "if you stop the medication, the body will return to its original state. Chronic diseases require long-term treatment." In the real world, patients often have difficulty maintaining medication due to issues such as supply shortages, side effects, and inadequate insurance coverage. Aronne said that research is currently underway to examine the impact of reducing doses or decreasing medication frequency, which will help explore the best maintenance treatment options. Another study to be presented at the European Obesity Congress found that overweight adults at risk of diabetes who were divided into three groups after medication experienced weight loss of 10%, 20%, and 30% respectively. The study suggests that patients usually stop losing weight after six months, with women and those without obesity-related complications showing the most significant weight loss effects.