Zepbound

The effectiveness of Zepbound as a treatment for diabetes and obesity in people with type 2 diabetes was examined in a series of phase 3 clinical trials known as the SURPASS studies. These studies tested the drug’s efficacy either as a standalone treatment, as an add-on to other medications, or in comparison to other treatment options.

Here is a summary of the studies:

SURPASS 1 Study – This study evaluated the effectiveness of Zepbound as a standalone treatment at three different doses: 5, 10, and 15 mg. Participants were individuals with type 2 diabetes who had high HbA1c levels despite a balanced diet and physical activity. After 40 weeks, the study showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and weight loss, without an increased risk of hypoglycemia (a sharp drop in blood sugar levels). Zepbound demonstrated dose-dependent weight loss in the range of 7 to 9.5 kg. In addition, up to 92% of participants taking Zepbound reduced their HbA1c to below 7%, and up to 52% achieved HbA1c levels below 5.7%. These results indicate that Zepbound is highly effective in regulating blood sugar and reducing weight.

SURPASS 2 Study – This study examined the effectiveness of the same three doses of Zepbound in comparison to a weekly 1 mg injection of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic (Wegovy, the weight-loss drug, also contains semaglutide but at a higher dose of 2.4 mg). After 40 weeks, results showed that Zepbound led to significantly greater reductions in both weight and HbA1c compared to semaglutide (1 mg). Additionally, all three doses of Zepbound had a positive effect on blood lipid levels, including reductions in triglycerides and VLDL (“bad” cholesterol), and improvements in HDL (“good” cholesterol).

• Zepbound at a 5 mg dose led to an average weight loss of 7.8 kg.
• Zepbound at a 10 mg dose led to an average weight loss of 10.3 kg
• Zepbound at a 15 mg dose led to an average weight loss of 15 kg.

In comparison, participants who received semaglutide (Ozempic 1 mg) lost only 6.2 kg on average.

Further analysis of the study results showed that 60% of participants who took Zepbound at the 15 mg dose, and 51% of those who took the 10 mg dose, lost 10% or more of their original body weight.

SURPASS 3 Study – This study evaluated the effectiveness of Zepbound compared to insulin degludec in patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels were not well-controlled with metformin (Glucophage). The company reported that Zepbound at the highest dose of 15 mg led to a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c levels compared to insulin degludec. Patients taking Zepbound also lost an average of 7.5, 10.5, and 12.9 kg, depending on the dosage. In contrast, the insulin degludec group showed an average weight gain of 2.3 kg.

SURPASS 4 Study – This study included participants at high risk for cardiovascular disease. All three doses of Zepbound resulted in significantly greater reductions in HbA1c compared to insulin glargine. Zepbound treatment also led to significantly more weight loss.

SURPASS 5 Study – This study included patients with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin glargine, with or without metformin. The company reported that after 40 weeks of treatment with insulin glargine plus 15 mg of Zepbound, there was a significant 2.59% reduction in HbA1c, compared to 0.93% in the placebo group. Zepbound also led to an average weight loss of 10.9 kg and a reduction in insulin dosage. In the placebo group, there was an average weight gain of 1.7 kg and a 75% increase in insulin dosage.