Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 25, 2026 · How we review
Retatrutide News & Updates
This page tracks every significant development in retatrutide's journey from clinical trials to (potential) FDA approval. Bookmark it — we update it as news breaks.
For background on the drug itself, see What Is Retatrutide (GLP-3)?. For a full trial tracker, see Clinical Trials & Results.
Upcoming Events to Watch
These are the dates and milestones most likely to generate retatrutide news in 2026.
| When | What | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | TRIUMPH-1 results | Reported — 28.3% weight loss at 12 mg over 80 weeks; the pivotal obesity trial the filing rests on |
| July 23, 2026 | TRIUMPH-2 results | Reported — 20.8% weight loss at 12 mg and A1C down 1.5% at 12 mg in obesity with type 2 diabetes |
| July 23, 2026 | TRIUMPH-3 results | Reported — 22.6% weight loss at 12 mg in obesity with established cardiovascular disease |
| March 19, 2026 | TRANSCEND-T2D-1 results | Reported — A1C down 1.7-2.0% and 16.8% weight loss in type 2 diabetes |
| June 5-8, 2026 | ADA 86th Scientific Sessions | Major diabetes conference — likely venue for data presentations |
| Nov 14-17, 2026 | ObesityWeek 2026 (Washington, D.C.) | Major obesity conference — likely venue for data presentations |
| Q1 2027 | BLA submission to the FDA | Lilly stated on July 23, 2026 that it plans to submit a Biologics License Application in the first quarter of 2027 |
2026
July 23 — TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3 Report; Lilly Names Q1 2027 as Its Filing Window
Lilly reported topline results from two more Phase 3 obesity trials on the same day, and for the first time named the quarter it intends to file in.
- TRIUMPH-2 (1,152 randomized; adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight) — average weight loss at 80 weeks of 12.7% (4 mg), 19.1% (9 mg) and 20.8% (12 mg) versus 4.0% on placebo, on the efficacy estimand. A1C fell 1.4% / 1.6% / 1.5% across the three doses from a 7.7% baseline, versus 0.2% on placebo.
- TRIUMPH-3 (1,949 randomized; adults with severe obesity and established cardiovascular disease) — average weight loss at 80 weeks of 21.6% (9 mg) and 22.6% (12 mg) versus 3.2% on placebo. In-study MACE hazard ratios were 0.82 (95% CI 0.55-1.22) for five-component MACE and 1.12 (95% CI 0.64-1.96) for three-component MACE — neither statistically significant, and the trial was not powered for cardiovascular outcomes.
- Regulatory: Lilly said it plans to submit a Biologics License Application to the FDA in the first quarter of 2027, superseding its earlier guidance of a 2026 submission.
Both trials showed the program's usual gastrointestinal adverse-event profile. Discontinuation due to adverse events was 3.8% / 11.6% / 7.7% across the TRIUMPH-2 dose arms (4.9% on placebo) and 9.8% / 13.5% in TRIUMPH-3 (4.8% on placebo).
February 4 — Eli Lilly Q4 2025 Earnings: Retatrutide Filing Planned for 2026
Eli Lilly reported Q4 2025 revenue of $19.3 billion (+43% YoY) and provided major retatrutide updates on the earnings call:
- Lilly confirmed the core TRIUMPH program results will be submitted in 2026 to support regulatory applications for obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and knee osteoarthritis
- Six additional Phase 3 trials for retatrutide expected to read out in 2026, including the pivotal TRIUMPH obesity program and the TRANSCEND type 2 diabetes program
- Management reiterated that in patients with baseline BMI >= 35 (84% of the TRIUMPH-4 trial), discontinuation rates were consistent with other injectable incretins
- Dysesthesia events were characterized as "generally mild and rarely led to treatment discontinuation"
- 2026 revenue guidance: $80-83 billion (~25% growth)
Also noted: orforglipron (Lilly's oral GLP-1) has been submitted for approval in the U.S. and 40+ countries, with U.S. approval expected Q2 2026. This is relevant because orforglipron and retatrutide represent Lilly's two-pronged next-generation obesity strategy — oral and injectable.
January 30 — Lilly Announces $3.5 Billion Pennsylvania Plant for Retatrutide Production
Eli Lilly announced a $3.5 billion injectable medicine and device manufacturing facility in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania (Lehigh Valley). This is the fourth new U.S. plant in Lilly's expansion series and will specifically produce next-generation obesity injections including retatrutide.
- 850 permanent jobs, 2,000 construction jobs
- Construction starts 2026, operational by 2031
- Brings total U.S. manufacturing commitments to over $50 billion since 2020
January 2026 — TRIUMPH Trial Design Paper Published
- TRIUMPH-1 and TRIUMPH-2 are basket trials with nested obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis protocols
- TRIUMPH-3 evaluates weight management in a cardiovascular disease population
- Doses being tested: 4 mg (maintenance), 9 mg, and 12 mg
- Total enrollment across TRIUMPH: >5,800 participants
2025
December 11 — TRIUMPH-4 Phase 3 Results: 28.7% Weight Loss (First Phase 3 Readout)
The defining retatrutide event of 2025. Eli Lilly announced topline results from TRIUMPH-4, the first Phase 3 trial to report data.
| Dose | Body Weight Change | Absolute Change |
|---|---|---|
| 12 mg | -28.7% | -71.2 lbs (-32.3 kg) |
| 9 mg | -26.4% | -64.2 lbs (-29.1 kg) |
| Placebo | -2.1% | — |
| Dose | Body Weight Change | Absolute Change |
|---|---|---|
| 12 mg | -23.7% | -60.0 lbs |
| 9 mg | -20.0% | -50.5 lbs |
- Discontinuation due to adverse events: 12.2% (9 mg), 18.2% (12 mg) vs. 4.0% (placebo)
- In patients with BMI >= 35 (84% of trial): discontinuation rates were 8.8% (9 mg), 12.1% (12 mg) vs. 4.8% (placebo) — more consistent with other incretins
- Dysesthesia: 8.8% (9 mg), 20.9% (12 mg) vs. 0.7% (placebo) — a new safety signal not seen in Phase 2
- Some discontinuations attributed to "perceived excessive weight loss"
- Common GI side effects: nausea (38-43%), diarrhea (33-35%), constipation (22-25%), vomiting (~20%)
- Daiwa upgraded LLY to Buy, raised price target to $1,230 from $940
- Bank of America maintained Buy, adjusted target to $1,268
- BMO flagged the dysesthesia signal as worth monitoring in future readouts
December 9 — Lilly Announces $6 Billion Alabama Manufacturing Facility
Two days before the TRIUMPH-4 data release, Lilly announced a $6 billion active pharmaceutical ingredient facility in Huntsville, Alabama — the largest initial investment in Alabama state history. The facility will produce small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines relevant to the retatrutide supply chain.
November 2025 — Clarivate Names Retatrutide a "Drug to Watch" with $30B Revenue Projection
October 30 — Q3 2025 Earnings: Seven Phase 3 Readouts Confirmed for 2026
Lilly reported Q3 2025 revenue of $17.6 billion (+54% YoY). Regarding retatrutide:
- New Phase 3 trials initiated for chronic low back pain and overweight/obesity
- Seven Phase 3 readouts confirmed as expected in 2026
- R&D expenses of $3.47 billion (+27%) reflect the scale of the pipeline
June 22 — ADA 2025: Preclinical Comparison of Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide
At the ADA 85th Scientific Sessions, a poster presentation compared the metabolic effects of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide in a monogenic mouse model of obesity. This preclinical study added to the scientific understanding of retatrutide's differentiated triple-agonist mechanism.
June 2025 — Review Article: "Retatrutide — A Game Changer in Obesity Pharmacotherapy"
May 7 — Court Upholds FDA on Tirzepatide Compounding (Sets Precedent for Retatrutide)
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas upheld the FDA's decision to remove tirzepatide from the drug shortage list, rejecting the Outsourcing Facilities Association's challenge. This ruling solidifies the regulatory framework that will govern retatrutide at launch — compounding pharmacies will not be able to produce copies.
February 26 — Lilly Announces $27 Billion U.S. Manufacturing Investment
Lilly announced plans to invest $27 billion across four new U.S. manufacturing sites. One plant will specifically help produce retatrutide. Total U.S. manufacturing commitments now exceed $50 billion since 2020.
February 21 — FDA Removes Semaglutide from Drug Shortage List
The FDA revised semaglutide's shortage categorization to "resolved," triggering the wind-down of compounding pharmacy access. In the same announcement, the FDA explicitly noted that retatrutide and cagrilintide are NOT components of FDA-approved drugs and cannot be used in compounding.
February 6 — Q4 2024 Earnings: Lilly Accelerates Retatrutide Timeline
During the Q4 2024 earnings call, Lilly announced it expected to release late-stage data on retatrutide in 2025 — several months earlier than previously expected. The company confirmed TRIUMPH-4 results would be available later that year.
2024
June-July — MASLD Phase 2 Results Published in Nature Medicine
2023
- June 2023 — Phase 2 obesity results (24.2% weight loss at 48 weeks) published in NEJM
- 2023 — Phase 2 type 2 diabetes results published in The Lancet
- 2023 — TRIUMPH Phase 3 program launched
2022
- Phase 1 results published in The Lancet
Related Pages
- What Is Retatrutide (GLP-3)? — How the triple agonist works
- Clinical Trials & Results — Detailed TRIUMPH program tracker
- Retatrutide vs Mounjaro vs Ozempic — Side-by-side comparison
- Side Effects & Safety — What clinical trials have shown
- Cost & Access — Pricing, insurance, and how to get it
- retatrutide FDA approval timeline 2026–2028 — When retatrutide might be approved
- What this is
- Educational information, not medical advice. It reports published research — it doesn’t recommend that you use, obtain, or supply anything.
- Regulatory status
- Retatrutide and similar peptides are investigational — not approved by the FDA or any regulator. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription-only medicines, available only through a licensed prescriber.
- Our standard
- Every claim traces to a primary source. We label the strength of evidence and flag estimates as estimates — never as clinical fact.
- No commercial ties
- We don’t sell, supply, or link to suppliers of any medicine, and aren’t affiliated with any manufacturer.
Do not make decisions about your health without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. For trial enrolment, see ClinicalTrials.gov. More on how we review.
Sources
- Lilly investor news
Eli Lilly
- STAT News
STAT
NEJM
The Lancet
JAMA
FDA
ClinicalTrials.govRelated reading
Retatrutide FDA Approval Timeline 2026-2028
Lilly plans a Q1 2027 BLA filing. TRIUMPH-1, -2 and -3 have reported. Approval window late 2027–28.
Retatrutide Phase 3 Results 2026: TRIUMPH Trial Tracker
Living tracker of every retatrutide trial — TRIUMPH-1/2/3/4/5, TRIUMPH-Outcomes, TRANSCEND-T2D-1/2, and SYNERGY-OUTCOMES Phase 3 readouts.
What Is Retatrutide (GLP-3)?
The world's first triple agonist weight loss drug — how it works, what the trials show, and why people call it GLP-3.
TRANSCEND-T2D-1: Retatrutide Phase 3 Diabetes Results (March 2026)
First Phase 3 retatrutide trial in type 2 diabetes — 16.8% weight loss and -2.0% A1C at 12 mg over 40 weeks. Announced March 19, 2026.
TRIUMPH-3 Retatrutide Results: 22.6% at 12 mg
TRIUMPH-3 reported topline results on July 23, 2026 — 22.6% weight loss at 12 mg over 80 weeks in a cardiovascular-disease population.