Eli Lilly's anti-obesity drug, tirzepatide, will be evaluated in a real-world study in Greater Manchester to determine its impact on weight loss and employment prospects for individuals living with obesity. The five-year clinical trial is part of a larger £279 million initiative by Eli Lilly in collaboration with the UK government to address public health challenges.
The trial, led by Health Innovation Manchester in partnership with Eli Lilly, the University of Manchester, and NorthWest EHealth, will involve up to 3,000 participants from Greater Manchester. Researchers will assess the effectiveness of tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, on weight loss, prevention of diabetes, and reduction of obesity-related complications.
Assessing Impact on Employment and Healthcare Utilization
Beyond the drug's physiological effects, the study will also measure its impact on participants' employment status and the number of sick days taken. This approach acknowledges the broader socioeconomic consequences of obesity, which costs the NHS £11 billion annually, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Leveraging Integrated Data for Comprehensive Analysis
The trial will utilize the Greater Manchester Care Record, a comprehensive database of patient information from health and social care providers in the region. This resource will enable researchers to analyze the drug's effects in a real-world primary care setting, contrasting it with standard care approaches, according to Professor Martin Rutter of the University of Manchester, the trial's lead investigator.
Addressing Obesity in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester has a high prevalence of obesity, with approximately 600,000 adults living with the condition, according to Mark Fisher, chief executive officer of the NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. He emphasized that obesity reduces quality of life and places additional strain on the healthcare system, highlighting the importance of this study for the region.
Informing Future Obesity Treatment Strategies
The evidence gathered from the trial will be used to demonstrate the long-term effects of weight loss medication and to inform the development of care pathways for treating obesity within health services. The researchers plan to release more details about the study at a later date.
