Ongoing 3

TRIUMPH-3

TRIUMPH-3: Weight Management Maintenance Trial

Phase 3 trial evaluating retatrutide for weight management maintenance — assessing whether weight loss can be sustained long-term and the effects of treatment withdrawal.

Definition

TRIUMPH-3 — Phase 3 trial evaluating retatrutide for weight management maintenance — assessing whether weight loss can be sustained long-term and the effects of treatment withdrawal.

Trial Facts

PropertyValue
Trial NameTRIUMPH-3
Phase3
Statusongoing
Enrollment1,400 participants
Start DateFebruary 1, 2024
Conditionsobesity, weight management

Study Overview

TRIUMPH-3 addresses one of the most critical questions in obesity pharmacotherapy: can weight loss be maintained long-term, and what happens when treatment is stopped? Weight regain after discontinuation has been a limitation of all currently approved obesity medications, and this trial will provide direct evidence on retatrutide’s durability profile.

Scientific Rationale

The Weight Regain Problem

Clinical data from other GLP-1 receptor agonists has shown significant weight regain after treatment discontinuation:

  • Semaglutide (STEP 1 extension): Approximately two-thirds of weight lost was regained within 1 year of stopping treatment
  • Tirzepatide (SURMOUNT-4): Participants who switched to placebo regained approximately 14% body weight over 1 year

Understanding retatrutide’s maintenance profile is essential because:

  • Chronic treatment may be necessary for sustained benefit
  • Payers and health systems need duration-of-treatment data for coverage decisions
  • Patients need realistic expectations about long-term weight management

Study Design

TRIUMPH-3 is expected to employ a randomized withdrawal design:

  1. Run-in phase: All participants receive retatrutide to achieve weight loss
  2. Randomized phase: Responders are randomized to continue retatrutide or switch to placebo
  3. Assessment: Weight trajectory is compared between groups

Endpoints

  • Percent change in body weight during the maintenance/withdrawal phase
  • Proportion maintaining clinically meaningful weight loss thresholds
  • Cardiometabolic parameter changes during maintenance vs. withdrawal
  • Safety during long-term treatment

Key Questions

  1. Does the glucagon receptor component affect weight regain kinetics differently than dual or single agonists?
  2. Are metabolic improvements (blood pressure, lipids, glucose) maintained with continued treatment?
  3. What is the rate and magnitude of weight regain upon discontinuation?
  4. Can lower maintenance doses sustain weight loss achieved at higher induction doses?

Sources Used On This Page

  1. 1
    eli-lilly-2024
  2. 2
    jastreboff-2023-nejm
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.