Trial results
Retatrutide results: TRIUMPH-1, -2, -3 and the other Phase 3 trials
- 13 sources
- No vendors
Short answer
As of October 19, 2026, five retatrutide Phase 3 trials have reported. In TRIUMPH-1 (80 weeks, 2,339 adults without diabetes), the 12 mg arm lost 28.3% of body weight on the efficacy estimand and 25.0% on the treatment-regimen estimand, versus 2.2% and 3.9% on placebo. Example: from a 112.7 kg average baseline, the 12 mg change was −28.2 kg (treatment-regimen).
On this page13 sections
- Retatrutide Phase 3 results at a glance
- Two estimands: why each trial has two numbers
- TRIUMPH-1: obesity without diabetes (80 weeks)
- The 104-week extension and the −30.3% figure
- TRIUMPH-2: obesity with type 2 diabetes (80 weeks)
- TRIUMPH-3: obesity with cardiovascular disease (80 weeks)
- TRIUMPH-4: knee osteoarthritis (68 weeks)
- TRANSCEND-T2D-1: type 2 diabetes (40 weeks)
- Phase 2 obesity trial, for context (48 weeks)
- “Before and after”: what the averages can and cannot tell you
- What has not been published yet
- FAQ
- Sources
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| TRIUMPH-1 12 mg, week 80 (efficacy estimand) | −28.3% vs −2.2% placebo | Eli Lilly, May 21, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-1 12 mg, week 80 (treatment-regimen, NEJM) | −25.0% vs −3.9% placebo | N Engl J Med, Sep 29, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-1 participants | 2,339 randomized 1:1:1:1 to 4, 9, 12 mg or placebo | Eli Lilly, May 21, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-2 12 mg, week 80 (treatment-regimen, Lancet) | −18.8% vs −5.1% placebo | The Lancet, Sep 29, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-3 12 mg, week 80 (efficacy estimand) | −22.6% vs −3.2% placebo | Eli Lilly, Jul 23, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-3 three-point MACE | HR 1.12 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.96); inconclusive | Eli Lilly, Jul 23, 2026 |
| TRIUMPH-4 12 mg, week 68 (efficacy estimand) | −28.7% (−71.2 lb) vs −2.1% placebo | Eli Lilly, Dec 11, 2025 |
| TRANSCEND-T2D-1 HbA1c, week 40 (treatment-regimen) | −1.94 points on 12 mg vs −0.81 placebo | The Lancet, Jun 6, 2026 |
| Phase 2 obesity 12 mg, week 48 | −24.2% vs −2.1% placebo | N Engl J Med, Jun 26, 2023 |
| 104-week extension (selected subgroup) | −30.3%; 532 people with BMI 35 or more who completed 80 weeks | Eli Lilly, May 21, 2026 |
Also useful: Retatrutide titration schedule.
Retatrutide Phase 3 results at a glance
Five Phase 3 trials of retatrutide have reported results. All of them compared retatrutide with placebo. The table shows the 12 mg arm, the highest dose in the program, with both analyses wherever a source gives both. More on the drug itself is on the retatrutide hub.
| Trial (weeks) | Population | 12 mg, efficacy estimand | 12 mg, treatment-regimen | Placebo (efficacy / treatment-regimen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRIUMPH-1 (80) | Obesity or overweight, no diabetes | −28.3% | −25.0% | −2.2% / −3.9% |
| TRIUMPH-2 (80) | Obesity or overweight with type 2 diabetes | −20.8% | −18.8% | −4.0% / −5.1% |
| TRIUMPH-3 (80) | BMI 35 or more with cardiovascular disease | −22.6% | Not reported | −3.2% / not reported |
| TRIUMPH-4 (68) | Obesity or overweight with knee osteoarthritis | −28.7% | −23.7% | −2.1% / −4.6% |
| TRANSCEND-T2D-1 (40) | Type 2 diabetes, HbA1c change | −1.9 points | −1.94 points | −0.8 / −0.81 points |
Do not rank these trials against each other. They enrolled different people, ran for 40 to 80 weeks and used different endpoints, so a lower number in one trial does not mean the drug worked less well in the same kind of person.
Two estimands: why each trial has two numbers
An estimand is the exact question an analysis answers. Lilly’s press releases lead with the efficacy estimand: what the average change would have been if every randomized participant had stayed on treatment. The journals lead with the treatment-regimen estimand: the average across everyone randomized, including people who stopped the drug. The treatment-regimen figure is usually smaller for the retatrutide arms (by as much as 6.4 percentage points in TRIUMPH-4) and larger for placebo. Both are correct answers to different questions, and every number on this page says which one it is.
Every Phase 3 arm followed the same step-up: participants started at 2 mg once weekly and moved up every 4 weeks until they reached their target dose. (Eli Lilly, Dec 11, 2025) The titration tool shows these published schedules week by week, and the retatrutide plotter models the relative amount of drug over time for each one. Neither is dosing guidance.
TRIUMPH-1: obesity without diabetes (80 weeks)
TRIUMPH-1 randomized 2,339 adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition, and without diabetes. Average baseline weight was 112.7 kg (248.5 lb) and average BMI was 40.0. (Eli Lilly, May 21, 2026)
| Arm | Efficacy estimand | Treatment-regimen estimand | Treatment-regimen, kg (lb) | Stopped for adverse events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | −19.0% | −17.6% | −19.8 kg (−43.7 lb) | 4.1% |
| 9 mg | −25.9% | −23.7% | −26.7 kg (−58.9 lb) | 6.9% |
| 12 mg | −28.3% | −25.0% | −28.2 kg (−62.1 lb) | 11.3% |
| Placebo | −2.2% | −3.9% | −4.4 kg (−9.7 lb) | 4.9% |
The NEJM paper reports the treatment-regimen values as its primary analysis, and they match Lilly’s release. On the efficacy estimand, Lilly reported average losses of 47.2 lb (4 mg), 64.4 lb (9 mg) and 70.3 lb (12 mg).
| Arm | At least 25% | At least 30% | At least 35% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | 27.8% | 15.3% | 5.9% |
| 9 mg | 52.9% | 37.9% | 20.8% |
| 12 mg | 62.5% | 45.3% | 27.2% |
| Placebo | 2.2% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
On 12 mg, 65.3% reached a BMI under 30 (pre-specified but not controlled for multiple testing), and Lilly’s ADA release added that 33.3% reached a BMI under 25. (Eli Lilly, Jun 6, 2026)
TRIUMPH-1 also contained two sub-studies. In 574 participants with knee osteoarthritis, WOMAC pain scores changed by −3.2, −3.5 and −3.6 points on 4, 9 and 12 mg versus −1.9 on placebo. In 243 participants with obstructive sleep apnea, the apnea-hypopnea index changed by −22.8, −34.3 and −32.1 events per hour versus −9.6. (N Engl J Med, Sep 29, 2026)
The 104-week extension and the −30.3% figure
The widely shared “30% weight loss” number comes from a pre-specified, blinded TRIUMPH-1 extension to 104 weeks. It is real, but it describes a selected group:
- Only 532 participants were enrolled, all with a baseline BMI of 35 or more (average 121.7 kg, BMI 42.8).
- All had completed 80 weeks and tolerated their dose, which favors people who were responding.
- Everyone, including the original placebo group, was moved to their maximum tolerated dose of 9 or 12 mg, so there was no placebo comparison.
| Original arm, then max tolerated dose | Efficacy estimand | Treatment-regimen estimand |
|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | −27.9% | −25.7% |
| 9 mg | −29.5% | −28.7% |
| 12 mg | −30.3% | −29.9% |
| Placebo | −19.2% | −18.9% |
The general 80-week 12 mg result for all participants remains −28.3% (efficacy) or −25.0% (treatment-regimen).
TRIUMPH-2: obesity with type 2 diabetes (80 weeks)
TRIUMPH-2 randomized 1,152 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight. Average baseline was 106.4 kg (234.6 lb), BMI 38.2 and HbA1c 7.7%. Of the 1,152, 965 (84%) completed study drug. (Eli Lilly, Sep 29, 2026) (The Lancet, Sep 29, 2026)
| Arm | Weight, efficacy estimand | Weight, treatment-regimen | Placebo-adjusted (treatment-regimen) | HbA1c change (efficacy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | −12.7% | −11.9% | −6.9 points | −1.4 points |
| 9 mg | −19.1% | −16.8% | −11.8 points | −1.6 points |
| 12 mg | −20.8% | −18.8% | −13.8 points | −1.5 points |
| Placebo | −4.0% | −5.1% | Not applicable | −0.2 points |
On the efficacy estimand, average losses were 29.8 lb, 45.4 lb and 49.6 lb. On 12 mg, 52.0% lost at least 20% of body weight and 59.5% no longer met the BMI criteria for obesity. People with a baseline BMI of 35 or more lost 23.4% on 12 mg. Treatment-regimen HbA1c values were not in the Lancet abstract we reviewed.
TRIUMPH-3: obesity with cardiovascular disease (80 weeks)
TRIUMPH-3 randomized 1,949 adults with a BMI of 35 or more and established cardiovascular disease, in a 1:1:2 ratio to 9 mg, 12 mg or placebo. Average baseline was 111.4 kg (245.6 lb). (Eli Lilly, Jul 23, 2026)
| Arm | Weight change |
|---|---|
| 9 mg | −21.6% (−23.9 kg; −52.7 lb) |
| 12 mg | −22.6% (−55.8 lb) |
| Placebo | −3.2% (−3.5 kg; −7.7 lb) |
| Endpoint | Hazard ratio (95% CI) | Events, retatrutide vs placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Five-point MACE | 0.82 (0.55 to 1.22) | 44 vs 52 |
| Three-point MACE | 1.12 (0.64 to 1.96) | 27 vs 23 |
MACE means major adverse cardiovascular events. The trial was not powered as an outcomes trial and recorded few events, so both hazard ratios have wide confidence intervals that cross 1. The cardiovascular result is inconclusive in either direction. No peer-reviewed TRIUMPH-3 paper had appeared as of October 19, 2026.
TRIUMPH-4: knee osteoarthritis (68 weeks)
TRIUMPH-4 randomized 445 adults with obesity or overweight and knee osteoarthritis, without diabetes, 1:1:1 to 9 mg, 12 mg or placebo. It had two co-primary endpoints: weight and knee pain. (Eli Lilly, Dec 11, 2025)
| Arm | Weight, efficacy estimand | Weight, treatment-regimen | WOMAC pain change (efficacy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 mg | −26.4% (−29.1 kg; −64.2 lb) | −20.0% (−22.9 kg; −50.5 lb) | −4.5 points |
| 12 mg | −28.7% (−32.3 kg; −71.2 lb) | −23.7% (−27.2 kg; −60.0 lb) | −4.4 points |
| Placebo | −2.1% (−2.1 kg; −4.6 lb) | −4.6% | −2.4 points |
WOMAC pain is scored 0 to 10, and the average baseline was 6.0. The registry record for this trial is NCT05931367. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Jan 21, 2026)
TRANSCEND-T2D-1: type 2 diabetes (40 weeks)
TRANSCEND-T2D-1 randomized 537 adults with type 2 diabetes managed with diet and exercise alone, 1:1:1:1 to 4, 9 or 12 mg or placebo. Average baseline HbA1c was 7.9%. (Eli Lilly, Mar 19, 2026)
| Arm | HbA1c, efficacy | HbA1c, treatment-regimen | Weight, efficacy | Weight, treatment-regimen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mg | −1.7 points | −1.69 points | −11.5% | −11.5% |
| 9 mg | −2.0 points | −1.86 points | −15.5% | −13.9% |
| 12 mg | −1.9 points | −1.94 points | −16.8% | −15.3% |
| Placebo | −0.8 points | −0.81 points | −2.5% | −2.6% |
Lilly described the largest average weight change as 36.6 lb (16.8%, efficacy estimand).
Phase 2 obesity trial, for context (48 weeks)
The Phase 2 trial enrolled 338 adults and tested doses that differ from Phase 3, including 8 mg and two different starting doses. (N Engl J Med, Jun 26, 2023)
| Arm (starting dose) | Week 24 | Week 48 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mg | −7.18% | −8.67% |
| 4 mg (2 mg start) | −12.0% | −16.32% |
| 4 mg (4 mg start) | −13.8% | −17.83% |
| 8 mg (2 mg start) | −16.64% | −21.72% |
| 8 mg (4 mg start) | −18.26% | −23.88% |
| 12 mg (2 mg start) | −17.39% | −24.22% |
| Placebo | −1.55% | −2.11% |
The NEJM paper rounds the 12 mg week-48 result to −24.2% versus −2.1% on placebo. At week 48, 100%, 93% and 83% of the 12 mg group lost at least 5%, 10% and 15% of body weight. (N Engl J Med, Jun 26, 2023)
“Before and after”: what the averages can and cannot tell you
People searching for “GLP-3 before and after” usually want to know how much a real person changes. The honest answer from the trials is an average with a wide spread. In TRIUMPH-1, 62.5% of the 12 mg arm lost at least 25% of body weight, which also means 37.5% did not. In the same trial, the placebo group lost 2.2% (efficacy) to 3.9% (treatment-regimen).
We do not show photos, testimonials or individual stories, because they cannot be verified and do not represent the average. Results reported in sources outside these trials, including for products sold online, do not apply: those products are not the trial drug. See whether retatrutide is FDA approved for the regulatory picture and the side effects guide for adverse-event rates by dose.
What has not been published yet
- Head-to-head data. TRIUMPH-5 compares retatrutide with tirzepatide and is listed as active, not recruiting. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Jul 20, 2026) Until it reports, see retatrutide vs tirzepatide for a caveated comparison.
- A TRIUMPH-3 paper. We found no peer-reviewed publication as of October 19, 2026; the TRIUMPH-3 and TRIUMPH-4 figures on this page come from Lilly releases.
- Registry results. None of the completed Phase 3 trials had posted results on ClinicalTrials.gov when we checked on October 19, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What are the retatrutide results?
- In TRIUMPH-1, adults without diabetes lost an average of 17.6%, 23.7% and 25.0% of body weight on 4, 9 and 12 mg at 80 weeks versus 3.9% on placebo, per the NEJM treatment-regimen analysis. Lilly's efficacy-estimand figures for the same arms were 19.0%, 25.9% and 28.3% versus 2.2%. Weight loss was smaller in people with type 2 diabetes: 18.8% on 12 mg in TRIUMPH-2 (Lancet).
What does GLP 3 before and after look like?
- We do not publish photos or individual stories. Trial averages are the reliable version: in TRIUMPH-1, the 12 mg arm changed by −28.2 kg (−62.1 lb) at 80 weeks on the treatment-regimen estimand, from an average start of 112.7 kg (248.5 lb). Lilly's TRIUMPH-4 release reported up to an average of 71.2 lb at 68 weeks on the efficacy estimand. Individual results varied widely.
How much weight do people lose on retatrutide?
- It depends on the dose, the population and the analysis. At 80 weeks in TRIUMPH-1, the efficacy estimand gave 19.0% (4 mg), 25.9% (9 mg) and 28.3% (12 mg). In TRIUMPH-2, people with type 2 diabetes lost 12.7%, 19.1% and 20.8% on the same doses. These are trial averages, not predictions for any one person.
Is the 30% retatrutide result real?
- Yes, but it is narrow. Lilly reported −30.3% at 104 weeks for people originally randomized to 12 mg in a TRIUMPH-1 extension. The extension enrolled only 532 participants with baseline BMI of 35 or more who completed 80 weeks and tolerated their dose, and it had no placebo control. It is not the general 12 mg result, which was −28.3% (efficacy) or −25.0% (treatment-regimen) at 80 weeks.
Retatrutide vs tirzepatide: which works better?
- No head-to-head result has been published as of October 19, 2026. TRIUMPH-5 compares retatrutide with tirzepatide directly; ClinicalTrials.gov lists it as active, not recruiting, with primary completion estimated for November 2026. Comparing numbers across separate trials is unreliable because populations, durations and analyses differ.
Sources
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, delivered powerful weight loss in pivotal Phase 3 obesity trial. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire; also investor.lilly.com), May 21, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Retatrutide, a Triple Hormone Receptor Agonist, for Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med (abstract via PubMed PMID 42814954; doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2604169), Sep 29, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, drove substantial improvements in weight, A1C, knee osteoarthritis pain, and obstructive sleep apnea, demonstrating its remarkable potential to treat obesity and its complications. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire), Jun 6, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, delivered substantial weight loss and A1C reduction, underscoring its potential promise for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire; also investor.lilly.com), Sep 29, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Retatrutide in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (TRIUMPH-2): a double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet 2026;408(10563):1455-1472 (abstract via PubMed PMID 42810372; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)01861-1), Sep 29, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, successful in two additional Phase 3 obesity trials, delivering significant improvements in weight and A1C. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire), Jul 23, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, delivered weight loss of up to an average of 71.2 lbs along with substantial relief from osteoarthritis pain in first successful Phase 3 trial. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire), Dec 11, 2025. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Lilly's triple agonist, retatrutide, demonstrated significant reductions in A1C and weight in first Phase 3 trial for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly and Company (via PR Newswire), Mar 19, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Efficacy and safety of retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist, in people with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with diet and exercise (TRANSCEND-T2D-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial. The Lancet (published online Jun 6, 2026; issue Jun 13, 2026; 407(10546):2402-2413; abstract via PubMed PMID 42250575; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00967-0), Jun 6, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity - A Phase 2 Trial. N Engl J Med 2023;389(6):514-526 (abstract via PubMed PMID 37366315; doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2301972), Jun 26, 2023. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- A Study of LY3437943 in Participants Who Have Obesity or Are Overweight (NCT04881760) - registry record with posted results. ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. NLM), Sep 13, 2023. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- A Study of Retatrutide (LY3437943) Compared to Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Adults Who Have Obesity (TRIUMPH-5). ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. NLM), Jul 20, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.
- A Study of Retatrutide (LY3437943) Once Weekly in Participants Who Have Obesity or Overweight and Osteoarthritis of the Knee (TRIUMPH-4). ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. NLM), Jan 21, 2026. Accessed Oct 19, 2026.