Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro May Help Diabetics Live Longer, Protect The Heart & Kidneys: Eli Lilly

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The trial included over 13,000 people across 30 countries and ran for more than 4.5 years, making it the largest and longest study on tirzepatide so far, the company said
In a major development that could shift the way obesity is treated globally, Eli Lilly's weight loss and type 2 diabetes drug tirzepatide, sold as the brands Mounjaro and Zepbound, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Eli Lilly on Thursday announced results from SURPASS-CVOT, a first-of-its-kind head-to-head Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial comparing two incretin therapies—Mounjaro and Trulicity—in adults with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Trulicity—made by Lilly—is not insulin, but it helps the body release insulin more effectively after meals.
About tirzepatide
Tirzepatide works by mimicking two gut hormones—GIP and GLP-1—that regulate appetite, insulin response, and energy use. This dual-action mechanism sets it apart from earlier drugs and is believed to drive both its weight loss and cardiometabolic benefits.
In the SURPASS-CVOT study, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) was shown to be as safe as Trulicity in preventing serious heart issues like heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. While not the focus of the study, Mounjaro also showed better results in lowering blood sugar (A1C), reducing weight, improving kidney function, and lowering overall death risk. The trial included over 13,000 people across 30 countries and ran for more than 4.5 years, making it the largest and longest study on tirzepatide so far, the company claimed.
These results hold significance for India, as the American pharma giant launched the drug here on March 20, and since then, the drug has seen rapid uptake. In just three months, sales soared to Rs 12.6 crore in May, tripling from March, according to Pharmatrac data.
Priced at Rs 4,375 (5 mg) and Rs 3,500 (2.5 mg) per vial, Mounjaro's monthly cost ranges from Rs 14,000-17,500, nearly 80% cheaper than US prices.
While the results from the trial are promising, detailed results for SURPASS-CVOT will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2025 in September and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Lilly said it plans to submit the data to global regulatory authorities by the end of this year.
'Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among people living with type 2 diabetes," Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, wrote in the press release issued by the drugmaker. 'The SURPASS-CVOT results show that Mounjaro preserved the cardioprotective benefit of Trulicity, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while providing additional benefits, including greater kidney protection and a reduced overall risk of death. These findings strengthen the case for Mounjaro as a potential front-line treatment for people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease."
Findings of the study
In the trial, the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke was 8% lower for Mounjaro vs Trulicity, meeting the prespecified criteria for non-inferiority.
In simple words, Mounjaro reduced the risk of heart-related problems (heart attack, stroke, or heart death) by 8% compared to Trulicity. It also lowered the overall risk of death by 16%.
A separate analysis using past trial data suggested Mounjaro may reduce heart risks by 28% and death risk by 39% compared to a theoretical placebo.
In people with serious kidney problems, Mounjaro slowed kidney decline more effectively than Trulicity over three years.
In the trial, Mounjaro helped patients improve their blood sugar (A1C), lose more weight, and showed better heart-related health markers like cholesterol and blood pressure compared to Trulicity.
Both medicines had similar safety profiles. The most common side effects were stomach-related issues like nausea or diarrhoea, which were mostly mild and got better over time. However, 13.3% of people on Mounjaro stopped treatment due to side effects, compared to 10.2% on Trulicity.
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