Pharmalittle: We're reading about Lilly weight loss pill trial results, slashed U.K. clinical trial times, and more

And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is, so far, rather modest. We expect to tidy up around the castle, promenade with the official mascots, and stop in at a favorite dive bar. We also hope to hold another listening party, where the rotation might just include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is here, so this may be an opportunity to rifle through closets and garages for unwanted items or plan a summer getaway. You could enjoy the great outdoors or sample an eatery or two. Or simply plan the rest of your life. The possibilities are endless, yes? Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …

The scientists whose work spurred the development of powerful obesity drugs like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound are now raising a provocative hypothesis — perhaps targeting the GLP-1 hormone is actually not necessary to achieve effective weight loss, STAT explains. A group of researchers led by Richard DiMarchi and Matthias Tschöp has created an experimental drug that activates receptors of the GIP and glucagon hormones. They propose, based on rodent and monkey studies, that this kind of molecule, when administered at high enough doses, may result in weight loss comparable to the weight loss seen with drugs that include GLP-1 as a target, and without the tolerability issues like nausea and vomiting that often come with the approved treatments, according to a peer-reviewed draft paper.

Eli Lilly released results of a clinical trial that may ease concerns about the safety of its new weight loss pill Foundayo, which seeks to rival a similar offering from the maker of Wegovy, The Wall Street Journal notes. The new study showed Foundayo reduced the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes who were at increased risk of heart disease, compared with a common treatment. Lilly also said there was no liver safety signal in the study. The findings are notable because earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed that when it approved Foundayo on April 1, it also required Lilly to conduct additional testing to assess the risks of cardiovascular events and drug-induced liver injury. That raised the specter that safety concerns could limit the market potential for the new pill, which is in a competitive battle with the Wegovy weight loss pill launched by Novo Nordisk this year.

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