Lilly says retatrutide beat Novo's Ozempic in 80-week type 2 diabetes trial
Eli Lilly announced Phase 3 results saying its unapproved drug retatrutide lowered blood sugar and body weight more than Novo Nordisk's Ozempic in adults with type 2 diabetes. The data come from the company and are not peer-reviewed.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Eli Lilly said on Wednesday 28 October that its investigational drug retatrutide was more effective than Novo Nordisk's Ozempic at lowering blood sugar and cutting weight in a large head-to-head diabetes study. STATN “Eli Lilly on Wednesday said that its investigational drug was more effective at lowering blood sugar and cutting weight than Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic in a large diabetes study” Read at STAT ↗ STATN “Eli Lilly announced that its investigational drug retatrutide was more effective at lowering blood sugar and cutting weight than Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic in a large diabetes study.” Read at STAT ↗ Right · 2The Phase 3 trial, called TRANSCEND-T2D-2, enrolled 1,298 adults with type 2 diabetes and compared retatrutide at 9 mg and 12 mg weekly with a 2 mg dose of Ozempic, its highest approved dose for type 2 diabetes. IJRRC “Phase 3 TRANSCEND-T2D-2 results in 1,298 adults with type 2 diabetes” Read at IJR ↗ New York PostR “against a 2-milligram dose of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, the drug’s highest approved dose for type 2 diabetes” Read at New York Post ↗ Mixed · 2After 80 weeks, A1c, a measure of blood sugar, fell by an average of 2.2 percentage points on retatrutide versus 1.8 points on Ozempic; participants began with an average A1c of 8.3%. STATN “saw a 2.2 percentage-point reduction in a measure of blood sugar called A1c after 80 weeks, while those on Ozempic saw a 1.8 percentage-point reduction” Read at STAT ↗ New York PostR “their average A1C — a measure of blood sugar levels over roughly the previous three months — was 8.3%” Read at New York Post ↗
Mixed · 2Patients on retatrutide lost an average of 44.3 pounds (19.5% of body weight) on 9 mg and 47.4 pounds (20.9%) on 12 mg, versus 20.9 pounds (9.4%) on Ozempic. New York PostR “Patients taking the 9-milligram dose of retatrutide shed an average of 44.3 pounds, or 19.5% of their body weight. Those on the 12-milligram dose lost an average of 47.4 pounds, or 20.9%.” Read at New York Post ↗ STATN “Those on the highest dose of retatrutide also lost 20.9% of their weight” Read at STAT ↗ Centre · 1STAT noted that the figures come from analyses of participants who stayed on treatment, not all participants, and that weight loss of this size is notable because people with diabetes tend not to lose much weight on drugs. STATN “These results are based on analyses looking only at the participants who stayed on treatment, not all participants.” Read at STAT ↗ Right · 2Lilly also said retatrutide did better than Ozempic on non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure. New York PostR “Lilly said its experimental drug also outperformed Ozempic on several cardiovascular risk factors, including non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure.” Read at New York Post ↗ IJRRC “greater improvements in cholesterol, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure” Read at IJR ↗
Right · 2Side effects were generally similar, with slightly more diarrhea and higher rates of dysesthesia (an abnormal tingling or burning sensation) on retatrutide and more constipation on Ozempic; Lilly said most adverse events were mild to moderate. IJRRC “slightly more diarrhea and higher dysesthesia on retatrutide, more constipation on Ozempic” Read at IJR ↗ New York PostR “Lilly said most adverse events were mild to moderate and typically resolved during treatment.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 2More retatrutide patients dropped out: discontinuation rates were 4.8% on 9 mg and 7.9% on 12 mg, against 2.7% on Ozempic. New York PostR “Discontinuation rates were 4.8% for the 9-milligram dose and 7.9% for the 12-milligram dose, compared with 2.7% for Ozempic.” Read at New York Post ↗ IJRRC “more frequent discontinuations due to adverse events on retatrutide, especially at 12 mg” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 2Kenneth Custer of Lilly said the company believes retatrutide, if approved, could shift the treatment paradigm for type 2 diabetes, obesity and related cardiometabolic conditions. New York PostR “we believe retatrutide, if approved, could shift the treatment paradigm for people living with type 2 diabetes, obesity and related cardiometabolic conditions.” Read at New York Post ↗ IJRRC “said Kenneth Custer, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health” Read at IJR ↗
Right · 2Retatrutide, nicknamed "Triple G", targets the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, whereas Ozempic targets GLP-1 only. IJRRC “Retatrutide targets GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors; Ozempic targets GLP-1 only.” Read at IJR ↗ New York PostR “Nicknamed “Triple G,” it targets those same two pathways while also activating glucagon” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1The drug is not approved by the FDA; Lilly plans to submit it early in 2027 and says anyone selling retatrutide to consumers is breaking the law. The results have not been peer-reviewed and came a day before Lilly's earnings. IJRRC “The drug is not FDA-approved; Lilly plans to submit in early 2027 and said anyone purporting to sell retatrutide to consumers is breaking the law. Results are not peer-reviewed and preceded Thursday earnings.” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 1The New York Post added that unapproved versions have spread in the gray market, that Lilly is suing multiple companies over them, and that the FDA has received reports of at least two deaths linked to products claiming to contain retatrutide. New York PostR “Lilly has warned against using these knockoffs and is suing multiple companies it accuses of illegally selling versions of its drug.”“Earlier this month, news broke that the agency had received reports of at least two deaths linked to products claiming to contain retatrutide.” Read at New York Post ↗
Right · 1In an earlier trial in people with obesity or overweight, the 12 mg dose produced an average 28.7% weight loss over 68 weeks, and reports of higher dropout rates in February had raised tolerability questions. New York PostR “lost an average of 71.2 pounds, or 28.7% of their body weight, over 68 weeks”“reports of higher dropout rates raised questions about tolerability” Read at New York Post ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- STAT presents the result as a competitive boost for Lilly, focusing on the two headline metrics and the caveat about who is analysed.
- Emphasis
- A1c and percentage weight loss at the highest dose; analysis limited to participants who stayed on treatment; growth-driver expectations.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The visible text gives no side-effect, dropout or regulatory detail.
- Charged language
- “triple-G”
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- IJR and the New York Post lead with the doubling of Ozempic's weight loss and give detailed figures, with the Post adding gray-market and safety context.
- Emphasis
- Pound-based weight loss, doses, side effects and dropouts, FDA timing, and the Post's gray-market warnings.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither mentions that the figures come from on-treatment analyses, which STAT notes.
- Charged language
- “Doubles Ozempic Weight Loss”“twice as powerful”“King Kong”“blockbuster potential”
- For example
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“Lilly Retatrutide Doubles Ozempic Weight Loss in Trial” — IJR
“The medication has earned the nickname “King Kong” for its potency.” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Lilly announced on 28 October that retatrutide beat Ozempic on blood sugar and weight in an 80-week type 2 diabetes trial.
- A1c fell 2.2 points on retatrutide versus 1.8 on Ozempic.
- Retatrutide is not yet FDA-approved.
Where accounts differ
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How to describe the weight-loss gap
- Centre
- STAT reports the percentages (20.9% vs 9.4%) and cautions that they cover only participants who stayed on treatment.
- Right
- IJR and the New York Post say retatrutide roughly doubled or was twice as powerful as Ozempic; the Post also notes higher dropout rates on retatrutide.
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In an 80-week head-to-head diabetes trial, retatrutide lowered blood sugar and body weight more than Ozempic.
Supported- Supports 2
- STAT, New York Post
- Reports 1
- IJR
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Retatrutide patients had an A1c reduction of 2.2 percentage points versus 1.8 for Ozempic after 80 weeks.
Reported- Reports 3
- STAT, IJR, New York Post
Eli Lilly organisation
Lilly presents the head-to-head results as showing retatrutide could change treatment, and plans an FDA submission in early 2027. It warns against unapproved retatrutide sales.
“Head-to-head trials show patients and physicians how a potential new medicine compares with treatments that are available and reimbursed today” — New York Post
“Lilly plans to submit in early 2027” — IJR
Novo Nordisk organisation
Novo Nordisk's Ozempic is the comparator; the coverage gives no Novo response.
“a 2-milligram dose of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, the drug’s highest approved dose for type 2 diabetes” — New York Post
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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STATN ·
STAT+: Lilly says ‘triple-G’ drug beats Novo’s Ozempic in diabetes study
Neutral Reports the headline A1c and weight results and caveats that they cover only on-treatment participants.
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STATN ·
STAT+: Lilly’s triple-G drug beats Ozempic in head-to-head study
Neutral Newsletter item stating that Lilly's drug beat Ozempic in a head-to-head study.
Right2 articles
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IJRRC ·
Lilly Retatrutide Doubles Ozempic Weight Loss in Trial
Neutral Dense recap of Lilly's figures, side effects and regulatory status, with a headline stressing doubled weight loss.
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New weight loss drug proves twice as powerful as Ozempic’s highest dosage
Mixed Enthusiastic about the drug's potential, but includes dropout, tolerability and gray-market safety concerns.
- 28 Oct 10:45 First STATN STAT+: Lilly says ‘triple-G’ drug beats Novo’s Ozempic in diabetes study
- 28 Oct 10:52 +7m IJRRC Lilly Retatrutide Doubles Ozempic Weight Loss in Trial
- 28 Oct 13:42 +2h 58m STATN STAT+: Lilly’s triple-G drug beats Ozempic in head-to-head study
- 28 Oct 16:14 +5h 30m New York PostR New weight loss drug proves twice as powerful as Ozempic’s highest dosage
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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