| Trial results
Eli Lilly announced top-line results from TRANSCEND-T2D-2, a phase 3 trial that compared once-weekly retatrutide with Ozempic (semaglutide) 2 mg, the highest approved dose, in 1,298 adults with type 2 diabetes who were still above target on metformin. It was open label, meaning everyone knew which medicine they were taking. At 80 weeks, A1C, a measure of average blood sugar, fell by 2.2 percentage points on both retatrutide doses (9 mg and 12 mg) and by 1.8 on Ozempic, from an average of 8.3%.
Average weight fell by 19.5% on 9 mg and 20.9% on 12 mg, versus 9.4% on Ozempic. Stopping because of side effects was 4.8% on 9 mg and 7.9% on 12 mg, versus 2.7% on Ozempic. Diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting were the most common side effects. Abnormal skin sensations (dysesthesia) were reported by 4.8% and 6.5% on retatrutide versus 2.7% on Ozempic.
Worth knowing: These figures come from a Lilly announcement, not a journal paper, and they count people while they stayed on treatment. Lilly paid for the trial. It was done in people with type 2 diabetes, so it does not show how retatrutide compares with semaglutide for weight loss in people without diabetes. Lilly says full results will be presented at a medical meeting and published. Retatrutide is not approved for any use.
Related: Medicine library | Combination and head-to-head trials
Source: Eli Lilly and Company investor news release, October 28, 2026. Company announcement, not peer reviewed Company announcement, not peer reviewed. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06260722. Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company Trial registry.