Tirzepatide Prevents Major Cardiovascular Events: Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly reports that its drug, tirzepatide, protects against major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. 

The company’s SURPASS-CVOT trial compared two incretin-based therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study evaluated tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, against dulaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist previously shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in the REWIND trial.

SURPASS-CVOT met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that tirzepatide was non-inferior to dulaglutide for major adverse cardiovascular events. Beyond the primary endpoint, tirzepatide showed improvements in blood sugar control, body weight, kidney function, and all-cause mortality, although these results were not adjusted for multiplicity.

The trial included over 13,000 participants across 30 countries and spanned more than four and a half years, making it the largest and longest study to date for this therapy class. 

“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes. SURPASS-CVOT shows that tirzepatide preserved the cardioprotective effect of dulaglutide while providing additional benefits, including enhanced renal protection and reduced overall risk of death,” says Kenneth Custer,President, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health.

Analysis showed an 8% lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke with tirzepatide compared to dulaglutide, meeting the pre-specified criteria for non-inferiority. All three components of the composite major adverse cardiovascular events endpoint were consistent with these findings. All-cause mortality was 16% lower with tirzepatide versus dulaglutide. Safety and tolerability were generally consistent with known profiles for both therapies.