Triple‑hormone therapy promises 25% weight loss

A new drug that could reduce body weight by a quarter is still awaiting regulatory approval, according to a study released by the Guardian Society. The drug, known as retatrutide, is the largest trial of its kind and reports a mean weight loss of around 25 % in participants with obesity.

person on weighing scale in clinic

Beyond the scale: blood‑sugar and inflammation benefits

In addition to weight loss, the trial found that retatrutide improved blood‑sugar control and lowered markers of systemic inflammation. The results suggest that the drug could offer advantages for people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, conditions that often accompany excess weight.

How retatrutide works: a new class of gut‑hormone mimics

Retatrutide mimics three gut hormones – GLP‑1, GIP and glucagon – that normally regulate appetite, glucose metabolism and energy expenditure. Existing drugs such as Wegovy target only the GLP‑1 pathway, while Mounjaro combines GLP‑1 and GIP. By engaging all three signals, retatrutide may produce a more comprehensive metabolic response.

Retatrutide could cut a person’s body weight by a quarter.

Regulatory status and next steps

The drug has not yet been approved by any regulatory agency, and the Guardian Society notes that further trials are required to confirm safety and efficacy across a broader patient population. Phase 3 studies are slated to begin next month, and the company plans to submit the full data set to the EMA and FDA thereafter.

Health officials say that if the drug proves effective in larger trials, it could become a key tool in tackling the global obesity epidemic, which has been linked to rising rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.