Eli Lilly and Co. announced promising results for its weight-loss drug Zepbound, indicating its potential as a treatment for sleep apnea. The drug demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity, outperforming a placebo in two late-stage clinical trials. 

“Addressing this unmet need head-on is critical, and while there are pharmaceutical treatments for the excessive sleepiness associated with OSA [Zepbound] has the potential to be the first pharmaceutical treatment for the underlying disease,” Jeff Emmick, Eli Lilly’s senior vice president of product development, said in a statement.

The pharmaceutical company plans to present the findings at a medical conference and submit them to regulatory authorities by mid-2024.

Zepbound, which received “fast track designation” from the Food and Drug Administration for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, has garnered increased attention amid growing demand for weight-loss and diabetes treatments. The drug’s success could provide relief to the estimated 80 million people globally who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a condition associated with serious health risks.

Investors reacted positively to Eli Lilly’s announcement, with the company’s shares rising 2% in early trading today. The promising trial results not only offer hope for patients but also present a potential pathway for Zepbound to gain Medicare Part D coverage, expanding access to the treatment.

The two Phase 3 trials demonstrated Zepbound’s superiority over placebo in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index, a measure of obstructive sleep apnea severity. Patients treated with Zepbound experienced significant reductions in AHI events compared to those on placebo, exceeding expectations and highlighting the drug’s efficacy.

Eli Lilly’s competitor, Novo Nordisk, is also exploring weight-loss and diabetes drugs for treating sleep apnea. The positive results from Eli Lilly’s trials mark a significant advancement in addressing the unmet needs of patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.