STAT+: Lilly shares safety, tolerability data on its next-gen obesity drug

STAT PlusBiotech Lilly shares safety, tolerability data on its next-gen obesity drug Number of participants who experienced cardiac events were too small to draw meaningful conclusions, experts said Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenJune 6, 2026 National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Eli Lilly has already established that its next-generation obesity drug can lead to highly rapid weight loss. Researchers disclosed new data Saturday that provide more details on the safety and tolerability of the closely-watched therapy. Lilly previously said that in one late-stage study, called TRANSCEND-T2D-1, retatrutide helped people with diabetes lower blood sugar and lose a significant amount of weight, which is notable since those who have diabetes tend to lose less weight on treatment than those who don’t.Advertisement New data showed that seven out of the 403 participants who received retatrutide experienced arrhythmias (irregular heart beats), and three treated participants experienced major cardiovascular complications, compared with none in the placebo group. The data were presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association and published in the Lancet. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, chronic disease, diabetes, drug development, Obesity, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Stay on top of the latest developments coming out of the American Diabetes Association conference. Recommended Pharma June 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Detailed data show Pfizer’s monthly obesity drug continues to show potential The Readout June 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Will Makary’s FDA voucher program survive? Advertisement Politics June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Drug companies, patient groups urge FDA to pause commissioner’s voucher program Pharma June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Otsuka kidney drug slowed loss of function, but less than expected, in late-stage trial The Readout June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: AI titans push Congress for DNA safeguards Subscriber Picks