Weight-Loss Drugs Help Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Eli Lilly & Co.’s weight-loss drug Zepbound improved breathing problems in highly anticipated studies that may convince more insurers to cover the $1,000-a-month treatment. In two late-stage trials of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition closely linked to obesity, Zepbound reduced the number of times breathing slowed or stopped during sleep by up to 63% from the baseline, Lilly said in a statement Wednesday. The result topped Jefferies analysts’ expectations that the trials would likely show a reduction of about 50% to 55%. Patients in the 52-week studies also lost up to roughly 20% of their body weight, Lilly said. Lilly said it plans to share full results from the trials at the American Diabetes Association conference in June. The drug giant plans to submit those result...