Mounjaro Reduces Heart Events by 8 Percent More Than Trulicity in 13,000-Patient Diabetes Trial

Eli Lilly’s new diabetes drug Mounjaro has outperformed Trulicity in a head-to-head trial, offering superior protection against heart attacks and strokes for patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk. In the nearly five-year study, which enrolled over 13,000 participants, Mounjaro lowered the rate of major heart events by 8% more than Trulicity.

Risk of death from any cause was 16% lower in the Mounjaro group compared to those on Trulicity, though researchers are still analyzing the factors contributing to this difference. Both drugs showed similar safety profiles, with mild to moderate stomach issues being the most common side effects. However, slightly more patients on Mounjaro (13.3%) discontinued due to side effects than those on Trulicity (10.2%).

Trulicity, approved in 2014, became a leading therapy after data showed a 12% reduction in heart-related risk, reaching peak sales of $7.4 billion in 2022. Mounjaro has since overtaken Trulicity, generating $11.5 billion in sales last year. In the US, Mounjaro’s obesity version is marketed as Zepbound.

Eli Lilly plans to submit these findings to the FDA later this year, aiming for an expanded approval in 2026. Competition remains fierce with Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drugs, but Mounjaro now leads US diabetes market share, holding more than half the market.