Eli Lilly's Zepbound (Tizepatide) Shows Promise for Obesity and Sleep Apnea Treatment

In an era marked by rapid advancements in medical technology, obesity and its associated complications pose a significant global public health challenge. Recently, Eli Lilly has made notable progress in obesity treatment, particularly through its GIP/GLP-1 weight-loss drug Zepbound (also known as tizepatide), showcased in the SURMOUNT-OSA Phase 3 study.

Earlier this week, Eli Lilly released detailed data from this study, targeting obese patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Excitingly, the results demonstrated significant improvements in all major and secondary treatment endpoints for both patients receiving positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment and those not receiving it, with 10mg and 15mg doses of Zepbound. These findings not only offer promising news for obese patients but also consolidate Eli Lilly's leadership in diabetes and obesity treatments.

The research team published the data in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented the findings at the 84th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Orlando, Florida, attracting widespread industry attention. Zepbound, a pioneering drug from Eli Lilly, was first acknowledged in the obesity treatment arena in November last year. The drug can be used at a higher dose to treat obesity and at a lower dose to treat type 2 diabetes, referred to as Mounjaro in certain countries outside the United States. In these regions, Mounjaro has seen extensive use in weight loss and diabetes treatment.

The SURMOUNT-OSA Phase 3 study showcased Zepbound's impressive efficacy. The study data indicated that the average apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) decreased by 62.8% in patients receiving Zepbound treatment. AHI is a critical indicator of OSA severity, measured by tracking sleep-related breathing problems per hour of sleep. Compared to the placebo group, this result translates to a reduction in the number of events obstructing or limiting airflow per hour of sleep by about 30, significantly enhancing patients' sleep quality and life quality.

Moreover, the study found that 43% of untreated patients and 51.5% of patients using PAP machines met the remission criteria after receiving the highest dose of Zepbound. Eli Lilly defines remission as having an AHI of fewer than 5 events per hour or an AHI of 5 to 14 events per hour with an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of 10. The ESS is a questionnaire used to measure daytime excessive sleepiness, crucial for evaluating OSA symptoms. Dr. Jeff Emmick, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Eli Lilly, highlighted that approximately 80 million Americans suffer from OSA, a chronic disease significantly impacting their quality of life. The successful development of Zepbound offers new treatment options for patients and has the potential to become a key drug in OSA treatment.

Besides its notable efficacy in OSA patients, Zepbound also shows promise in treating other obesity-related conditions. For instance, in another study, Zepbound helped more than half of the patients with metabolic dysregulation and fatty liver disease (MASH) reduce their stage of fibrosis by at least one stage, without any condition worsening. This further underscores Zepbound’s broad application prospects in treating obesity and its complications.

Eli Lilly is also investigating the effectiveness of tesiprotamine in preserving ejection fraction in heart failure patients. This research could bring new hope to heart failure patients and expand tesiprotamine's application in cardiovascular diseases. Despite some analysts suggesting that Tezepelumab may ultimately lead over Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and obesity competitors Ozempic and Wegovy (both based on the GLP-1 molecule semaglutide), Eli Lilly is actively competing with its Danish counterpart. In March, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy became the first FDA-approved weight loss drug capable of reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attacks, and strokes in obese or overweight adults with cardiovascular disease. However, with Zepbound’s positive strides in multiple areas, Lilly is poised to achieve a turnaround in the future.

Financially, Mounjaro and Zepbound have generated substantial revenue for Eli Lilly. In 2023, Mounjaro brought in $5.16 billion in revenue for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound generated $175.8 million. Although there is still a gap compared to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy (with sales of approximately $13.8 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively, in 2023), Zepbound’s potential and market prospects are promising.

In conclusion, Zepbound’s positive progress in obesity treatment brings new hope for obese patients. As research advances and clinical applications expand, Zepbound is expected to become a significant drug in treating obesity and its related complications.