Weight-Loss Drugmakers Pivot Focus From Total Pounds Lost to Preserving Muscle
Weight-loss drug developers are shifting focus from total weight reduction to preserving muscle mass, as clinical trials from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Regeneron target healthier body composition outcomes.
Pharmaceutical companies developing weight-loss treatments are shifting their focus from overall weight reduction to body composition, specifically targeting muscle preservation alongside fat loss.
Rapid weight loss can lead to significant muscle mass reduction, increasing the risk of injuries and falls. To combat this, drugmakers are testing a new generation of medications designed to protect muscle mass while reducing body fat.
At a medical conference in Milan, mid- and late-stage clinical trial data presented by companies such as Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Regeneron indicated that several experimental drugs could better preserve muscle mass and reduce problematic abdominal fat.
Targeting Body Composition
Regeneron presented mid-stage trial data for an experimental muscle-preservation drug intended for use alongside a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The study found that participants taking the drug lost significantly less thigh muscle compared to those receiving semaglutide alone.
"I would prefer patients to lose more fat and slightly less weight, but preserve more muscle mass," said Dr. Juan Pablo Frías, an endocrinologist involved in recent clinical trials with Eli Lilly. "I want you to be able to bend down and tie your shoes without difficulty."
Market Competition and Differentiation
As the weight-loss market expands, dominant players Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are seeking ways to differentiate their products. Novo Nordisk is evaluating CagriSema, an investigational treatment combining semaglutide with cagrilintide, to determine its ability to reduce abdominal fat.
Data presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes showed that type 2 diabetes patients treated with CagriSema lost an average of 14.3% of their body weight in about nine months, showing reductions in liver and pancreatic fat compared to a placebo group.
Eli Lilly also released new data on retatrutide, a next-generation experimental weight-loss drug. Clinical trial participants reported improvements in daily physical functioning and mobility compared to those on a placebo.
"Today we routinely measure functional metrics in these clinical trials, such as muscle strength or activity levels, and we typically see a very significant improvement," said Dr. Dan Skovronsky, Eli Lilly's chief scientific officer.
Challenges in Measurement
Medical experts emphasize that tracking lean mass presents complexities, as lean mass encompasses tissues other than muscle. Researchers continue to refine clinical endpoints to ensure treatments target fat loss effectively while safeguarding long-term patient health.
