Lilly Fast Track for Obesity Drug
FDA has granted Eli Lilly a fast track designation for tirzepatide and its use for treating adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. After obtaining input from the agency, Lilly says it will initiate a rolling NDA submission this year. It will be based on data from two Phase 3 clinical trials: SURMOUNT-1, which is complete, and SURMOUNT-2, which is expected to be completed 4/2023.
In May, FDA approved tirzepatide under the trade name Mounjaro, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is described as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. The drug has been shown to decrease food intake “while blunting the metabolic adaptive responses that usually occur with calorie restriction resulting in weight reductions, and when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonism, may result in greater effects on markers of metabolic dysregulation such as body weight, glucose and lipids,” Lilly says.