Imagine only needing a weight-loss injection once a month instead of every week. That could soon be a reality, as new research reveals promising alternatives to the current weekly GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. These next-generation treatments, discussed at a recent American Diabetes Association meeting, are poised to revolutionize how we approach weight management and diabetes, offering more convenient and potentially even more effective options.
Clinical Trial Results
One such groundbreaking drug is MariTide, developed by Amgen. In a phase 2 clinical trial involving nearly 600 adults, some with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and others with obesity alone, MariTide demonstrated remarkable results. Participants with obesity shed an average of 20% of their body weight over a year, significantly more than the 2.6% seen in the placebo group. Those with diabetes experienced an average weight loss of 17%, compared to 1.4% in the placebo group. These figures place MariTide squarely in the same league as the highly effective Wegovy and Zepbound.
What sets MariTide apart is its unique composition. Unlike the weekly GLP-1 drugs, MariTide incorporates a monoclonal antibody that allows the drug to remain active in the body for a longer period. This innovative approach means patients could transition from weekly injections to a more convenient monthly dose. As Dr. Michelle Ponder, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University, noted, “It’s always just easier for patients to only have to take something once per month.” This reduction in injection frequency is especially beneficial for individuals managing multiple conditions, like diabetes patients who may already be taking several insulin shots daily. The prospect of fewer injections could significantly improve patient adherence and overall quality of life.
Bonus Blood Sugar Benefits
Beyond weight loss, MariTide also showed other health benefits. The trial indicated improvements in a key indicator of blood sugar, A1C, reducing it by as much as 2.2 percentage points in people with diabetes – a greater reduction than typically seen with Ozempic and Mounjaro. Additionally, MariTide demonstrated positive effects on heart health by improving blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation. While side effects were similar to other GLP-1 medications, primarily gastrointestinal issues, Amgen is also exploring an every-other-month dosing schedule, though initial findings suggest a slight increase in side effects with this less frequent option. The next crucial step for MariTide is a phase 3 trial, which will span 72 weeks and further evaluate its efficacy and safety.
Why Black Participation in Clinical Trials Is Crucial
As these promising new drugs move closer to approval, it’s vital to emphasize the critical importance of diverse participation in clinical trials, especially from the Black community. Obesity and type 2 diabetes disproportionately affect Black individuals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), non-Hispanic Black adults have the highest age-adjusted rates of obesity (49.9%) compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Similarly, Black Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults.
Despite these stark disparities, Black individuals have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. This lack of representation has significant consequences. Medications and treatments are often developed and tested on populations that do not fully reflect the diversity of those who will ultimately use them. As a result, there can be crucial differences in how drugs affect different racial and ethnic groups due to genetic variations, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences. Without adequate participation from the Black community, we risk developing treatments that may not be as effective, safe, or tailored to their specific needs.
Ensuring Black participation in clinical trials helps to:
- Improve treatment efficacy and safety: Diverse trial groups allow researchers to identify potential differences in how drugs are metabolized and how effective they are across various populations. This ensures that the final medication is safe and effective for everyone, not just a select group.
- Address health disparities: By including Black participants, researchers can better understand and address the unique biological and social factors that contribute to higher rates of obesity and diabetes in this community. This knowledge can lead to more targeted and equitable treatment strategies.
- Build trust and reduce health inequities: When clinical trials actively seek out and include diverse participants, it helps to build trust within communities that have historically faced medical mistrust and systemic inequities. This inclusive approach is crucial for achieving true health equity.
Beyond MariTide, other pharmaceutical companies are also making strides. Eli Lilly is developing eloralintide, which targets a hormone that slows stomach emptying, showing promising weight loss with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Their drug retatrutide is also in phase 3 trials after demonstrating significant weight loss in earlier stages. Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema, a combination drug, also yielded impressive weight loss results in its phase 3 trials.
The emergence of these diverse drug options is a testament to the ongoing effort to combat obesity, a complex disease that has long been misunderstood. As Dr. Shauna Levy, medical director of the Tulane Bariatric Center, highlighted to NBC News, “There’s not going to be one right answer for patients, so the more tools we have to treat the disease, the more likely you will be successful in hopefully eliminating or significantly decreasing this epidemic.” However, for these tools to be truly effective for all, the medical community must prioritize and actively encourage the participation of underrepresented groups, particularly Black individuals, in clinical research. This commitment to inclusivity will pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future.