Eli Lilly’s once-weekly insulin efsitora alfa matches daily insulin for A1C reduction, boosts stock interest

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced results from its QWINT-5 phase 3 trial, demonstrating that its once-weekly insulin efsitora alfa offers a comparable reduction in A1C levels to daily insulin degludec for adults with type 1 diabetes. This data, published in The Lancet and presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2024, is a significant development in diabetes management, potentially reshaping insulin treatment regimens.

The trial, which included 692 participants from multiple countries such as the United States, Japan, and Poland, revealed that efsitora achieved the primary endpoint of non-inferior A1C reduction at 26 weeks. For the efficacy estimand, efsitora reduced A1C by 0.53% compared to 0.59% for insulin degludec, resulting in an A1C of 7.37% and 7.32%, respectively. This shows that efsitora, with its once-weekly dosing regimen, is as effective as the daily insulin degludec in controlling blood glucose levels.

Key Secondary Endpoints and Safety Profile

Secondary endpoints also showed promising results. The trial assessed time-in-range, measured by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and found that both efsitora and insulin degludec offered similar outcomes over the four weeks before week 26. Moreover, the combined rates of patient-reported clinically significant or severe nocturnal hypoglycemic events per patient-year of exposure were similar between the two insulins over the 52-week study period.

However, hypoglycemic events were higher with efsitora (14.03 events per patient-year) compared to insulin degludec (11.59 events per patient-year). Despite this, there was no evidence of prolonged hypoglycemia duration with efsitora based on CGM data. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia was initially higher with efsitora, particularly within the first 12 weeks of treatment, but declined in both treatment groups after week 12. Serious adverse events were also higher with efsitora, driven mainly by severe hypoglycemic events.

Dr. Richard Bergenstal, Executive Director of the International Diabetes Center, HealthPartners Institute, noted the convenience factor of efsitora, stating, “This new data shows that with one dose a week of basal insulin, efsitora was able to achieve a similar A1C reduction as taking an injection of one of the most used background insulins every day.”

Impact on Eli Lilly’s Stock Performance

Following the announcement of the positive trial results, Eli Lilly’s stock has seen increased interest from investors. Eli Lilly’s shares recently closed at $912.75, reflecting a decrease of $33.56 or 3.55% from the prior close of $946.31. The stock has been volatile, fluctuating by -3.81% over the last five trades but showing a significant rise of 15.07% over the past 30 trades. Over the past year, the stock has gained significantly, reflecting strong investor sentiment driven by the company’s expanding portfolio in diabetes and obesity treatments.

The positive market response underscores the commercial potential of insulin efsitora alfa. Should it gain regulatory approval, the once-weekly insulin could appeal to patients looking for simplified insulin regimens, potentially driving substantial revenue growth in Eli Lilly’s diabetes segment.

Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Product Development at Eli Lilly and Company, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovative diabetes treatments, noting, “These results underscore the potential of efsitora to help some people living with type 1 diabetes lower their A1C with only one basal insulin injection per week, while also highlighting the complexity of treating this chronic disease.”

Future Outlook for Insulin Efsitora Alfa

Insulin efsitora alfa is a fusion protein designed for once-weekly subcutaneous administration, combining a novel single-chain variant of insulin with a human IgG2 Fc domain. With its low peak-to-trough ratio, efsitora promises more stable glucose levels and reduced variability throughout the week. Eli Lilly’s ongoing phase 3 QWINT clinical development program aims to further investigate the efficacy and safety of efsitora among a broader population with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Detailed results from other studies, such as QWINT-2, are also being presented at EASD 2024, further supporting the potential of this treatment.

The QWINT-5 trial results position insulin efsitora alfa as a viable alternative to daily insulin injections, potentially transforming type 1 diabetes management by reducing the frequency of basal insulin injections. This promising innovation, coupled with growing investor interest, suggests a bright future for Eli Lilly in the diabetes care market, provided regulatory approvals and market acceptance follow suit.