Study: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Cuts Prediabetes Progression to Type 2 by up to 94%

Lilly has announced initial findings from the final phase of SURMOUNT-1, a clinical trial that studied the use of tirzepatide in patients with overweight or obesity, including those with and without prediabetes.

Topline results suggest that tirzepatide dramatically reduced the risk of progression of prediabetes to diabetes by 88% to 94% in people with prediabetes who are carrying excess weight. A more detailed assessment of the study’s full results will be presented at a medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed publication in November.

These study results further underscore the long-term benefits of taking tirzepatide, which extend beyond the current FDA approved uses of treatment of type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and weight loss (Zepbound).

SURMOUNT-1: A clinical trial studying tirzepatide

Study design

The three-year SURMOUNT-1 study examined the impact three doses of tirzepatide (5, 10, and 15 mg) had on body weight when combined with a low-calorie diet and increased exercise in people with obesity or overweight.

Key findings

In June 2022, the clinical trial’s researchers published results from the first 72 weeks of the 193-week study. This analysis, which followed roughly 2,400 participants living with overweight or obesity, reported that participants lost an average of 52 pounds (21% of their weight) on the highest dose of tirzepatide. The same analysis also reported that 95% of people with prediabetes who took tirzepatide reverted to normal glucose levels compared to 62% who were given a placebo. Participants also experienced improvements in their fasting glucose, A1C, blood pressure, waist circumference, and insulin levels.

Researchers have now released a snapshot of results from the complete study, including phase two, which included a 1,032-person subset with both obesity and prediabetes.

Results of the complete study, including phase two, indicate that tirzepatide reduces the risk of progression from prediabetes to diabetes by about 90% in people with obesity or overweight. In addition, weight reduction ranged from 12% to 23%, depending on the dose of tirzepatide.

What this means for prediabetes

The full results of the SURMOUNT-1 study further reinforce the benefits of tirzepatide, and open the door for Lilly to seek FDA approval for use of the drug to prevent progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. 

Tirzepatide belongs to a class of medications known as incretins, some of which have been approved for treatment of a growing number of conditions from type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) to weight loss (Zepbound). This has led to unprecedented consumer demand as well as global drug shortages.

A growing case for use of certain incretins in prediabetes

The SURMOUNT-1 results also add to a growing body of evidence that suggest tirzepatide and certain other medications in the incretin drug class have benefits beyond treatment of type 2 diabetes, including preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in people with both excess body weight and prediabetes. 

Earlier this summer, results of Novo Nordisk’s STEP-10 trial also showed a reduction in prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes. STEP-10 study found that a 2.4 mg injection of , semaglutide (sold as Wegovy for weight loss) led to significant weight loss and a return to A1C levels of less than 5.7% when compared to a placebo. Following the success of STEP-10, Novo Nordisk  FDA approval for semaglutide to prevent progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Further reading about the benefits of tirzepatide:

• New Trial Studying Tirzepatide for Chronic Kidney Disease
• Zepbound (Tirzepatide) FDA-Approved for Chronic Weight Management
• Mounjaro Superior to Ozempic for Blood Glucose Control and Weight Loss
• Eli Lilly Launches Digital Pharmacy With Home Delivery Service