# In a crucial trial, Eli Lilly reported on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that its experimental obesity medication helped patients lose more than 28% of their body weight over the course of a year and a half.

*biotech · news · 2026-05-21 · NDTV Profit*

## Key points

- Eli Lilly's retatrutide led to over 28% average weight loss in patients after 18 months.
- Over 45% of trial participants lost at least 30% body weight using the highest dose.
- New data shows dysesthesia rates fell to 12.5%, down from 20.9% in earlier results.
- Retatrutide's weight loss efficacy now matches bariatric surgery, surpassing current obesity drugs.
- Eli Lilly expects to introduce retatrutide to the market as early as next year.

**Companies:** Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk

[Read the full story on NDTV Profit](https://www.ndtvprofit.com/science/eli-lilly-raises-the-bar-next-gen-obesity-drug-delivers-massive-28-weight-loss-11529936)

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