Eli Lilly’s anti-obesity drug Zepbound significantly reduced the risk of Type 2 diabetes among people with excess weight and elevated blood-sugar levels in a new study.
The finding widens the list of additional health benefits beyond weight loss for a hot new crop of anti-obesity drugs. Prior studies have found that Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and Lilly’s Zepbound eases the severity of obstructive sleep apnea.
The growing list of health benefits could boost sales for drugmakers, and convince more health insurers and employers to pay for the expensive medicines, which cost more than $1,000 a month. Drugmakers say the additional health benefits could help reduce healthcare costs down the line by avoiding obesity-related complications.
