A groundbreaking pill could be the game-changer for weight loss and diabetes treatment, as Eli Lilly’s latest clinical trial shows promising results with its new GLP-1 agonist orforglipron.
The search for a more accessible and effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes and obesity has led to significant breakthroughs in the development of GLP-1 agonists. These drugs, which mimic the natural hormone ‘GLP-1’ , have become popular for their dual effectiveness in helping with weight loss and treating diabetes. However, traditional GLP-1 agonists require injections, posing a significant obstacle to their accessibility and availability.
Overcoming the Challenges of Peptide-Based Drugs
Pharmaceutical companies have struggled to package peptide-based drugs into pill form due to their fragile nature. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of protein, but they can quickly dissolve in the stomach before they have a chance to act. Eli Lilly’s solution was to develop an incredibly small molecule that can mimic peptides and bind to the same ‘pocket’ on the GLP-1 receptor.
Eli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures human medicines and animal health products.
Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eli Lilly employs over 36,000 people worldwide.
The company's portfolio includes well-known brands such as Humalog, Strattera, and Cymbalta.
Eli Lilly invests heavily in research and development, with a focus on discovering new treatments for complex diseases.
Clinical Trial Results: Promising Hope for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
The latest clinical trial announced by Eli Lilly suggests that ‘orglifron’ , a new GLP-1 agonist taken as a daily pill, is promising. The results show that subjects who took the highest dose of 36 mg over 40 weeks lost 7.9 percent of their body weight, or around 16 pounds on average, while their blood sugar levels fell by up to 1.6 percent. Encouragingly, their weight loss didn’t plateau towards the trial’s end, suggesting that they could’ve continued to shed pounds.
Weight loss refers to a reduction in body weight, typically achieved through a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy weight loss rate is 0.5-1 kg per week.
Factors influencing weight loss include genetics, metabolism, age, and sex.
A calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories per day can lead to a weekly weight loss of 0.5-1 kg.
Regular physical activity, such as cardio and strength training, also aids in weight loss.
A New Era in Diabetes Treatment
The small molecule approach behind developing ‘orglifron’ has generated optimism among experts. ‘In the next 4 or 5 years, this field will mature and more patients ultimately should be able to get these medicines,’ said Kyle Sloop, a molecular biologist at Lilly Research Laboratories. Having new oral agents that lower glucose but also meaningfully lower weight beyond levels seen with most existing diabetes therapies is critical to future Type 2 diabetes care.
Future Trials: Cardiovascular Outcomes to be Watched
While the results are encouraging, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of ‘orglifron’ on cardiovascular outcomes. ‘Of course, one caveat is that we do not know the effects of this newer therapy on cardiovascular outcomes but this will be forthcoming in future trials,’ said Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow.
Dr. Naveed Sattar is a Scottish clinical epidemiologist who has made significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular disease.
He is a Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Glasgow.
Dr. Sattar's research focuses on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly diabetes and metabolic disorders.
He has published numerous papers in top-tier scientific journals and has received several awards for his work.
A New Hope for Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment
The development of ‘orglifron’ marks a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity. With its small molecule approach and promising clinical trial results, this new therapy has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat these conditions.
- futurism.com | Human Experiments on GLP 1 Pill Looking Extremely Promising
