Mounjaro shows similar heart benefits to older diabetes drug

Mounjaro reduced death from any cause by 16 per cent in people with Type 2 diabetes, while offering similar heart protection to an older diabetes drug in a recent trial

The nearly five-year trial compared Mounjaro with Trulicity in more than 13,000 adults who had both Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease – a condition affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Both drugs lowered the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Mounjaro showed an 8 per cent reduction in combined risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke compared with Trulicity, meeting the study’s main goal of non-inferiority.

Mounjaro also demonstrated additional benefits, including greater blood sugar control, more weight loss, and better kidney protection. It was the largest and longest trial to date on tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro.

People with Type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke as those without the condition.

Dr David Broome is clinical assistant professor in the department of internal medicine’s metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes division at the University of Michigan.

He said: “The difference in the rate of death from any cause between Mounjaro and Trulicity is really quite profound and definitely something clinically meaningful to us as clinicians.”

He said the data helped quantify differences between the two drugs and would help inform shared decisions between patients and providers, depending on factors such as side effects, insurance coverage and drug tolerance.

Dr Howard Weintraub, clinical director of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at NYU Langone Heart, described Mounjaro as a “winner” in the trial, though it caused slightly more side effects than Trulicity.

He noted the higher list price may limit access unless insurers deem the added benefits worthwhile.

Lilly said it plans to submit the heart health data to global regulators by the end of the year, with potential approvals for this use expected in 2026.

Although Mounjaro already holds approval for Type 2 diabetes – which covers many patients with heart disease – the new data may help reinforce its use in this group.

Around 30 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes also have cardiovascular disease.

Ken Custer, president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, said: “It strengthens the overall story. In my mind, it raises the question of, ‘Why wouldn’t you choose Mounjaro?’

“The results take away any doubt of why this is the right medicine for a patient with Type 2 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular risk.”

The most common side effects for both drugs were gastrointestinal in nature and were generally mild to moderate.