Eli Lilly has announced promising results from a late-stage clinical trial of its drug tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, which has been shown to significantly reduce heart failure risks in patients with obesity.

The trial involved 731 participants suffering from obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with results indicating that those taking tirzepatide experienced a 38% lower risk of hospitalization, increased heart failure medication, or death compared to the placebo group.

In addition to reducing heart failure risks, patients taking Zepbound reported an average body weight reduction of 15.7%, and after one year, they showed a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life, as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire.

Dr. Patricia Pellikka from Mayo Clinic praised these findings as a significant advancement in treatment options for heart failure patients, highlighting the drug's potential to enhance quality of life.

Eli Lilly plans to submit the trial results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year, potentially paving the way for Zepbound to be included in Medicare coverage for obesity-related heart failure.

Following the announcement, Eli Lilly's shares rose nearly 3%, reflecting a more than 40% increase in value for the year, underscoring investor confidence in the drug's future.

The company also announced that the shortage of Zepbound is expected to end soon, which could impact the market for off-brand or compounded versions that have emerged during the supply constraints.

This trial marks Zepbound as the second GLP-1 drug to demonstrate efficacy in treating heart failure, following Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which has also been shown to reduce heart disease risk.

Eli Lilly continues to position tirzepatide as a versatile treatment option, with previous reports indicating its potential to alleviate sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Heart failure is a significant health concern in the U.S., affecting approximately 6.7 million adults and accounting for nearly 14% of deaths in 2022, making the findings from this trial particularly relevant.