# Phase 3 retatrutide trials report weight loss and reduced knee pain

_Published Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 12:06 PM EST · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Two-thirds of trial participants on retatrutide reported at least a 50% reduction in knee pain — Primary](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/1d9dfd1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7000x3675+0+496/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F60%2Fb5c616814e85b8c175b9a2745396%2Fsenior-woman-suffering-pain-leg-depositphotos-357641346-xl.jpg&na.image_optimisation=0)

Two Northwestern University-led Phase 3 trials involving more than 1,000 adults found that participants receiving high doses of Eli Lilly's experimental retatrutide lost, on average, up to 25% of their body weight. Across the studies, around two-thirds receiving the drug reported at least a 50% reduction in knee osteoarthritis pain; placebo recipients reported a 38% reduction in pain.

The once-weekly injection activates three hormone receptors. Researchers said reduced weight lessens the load on knees, but the contribution of anti-inflammatory effects needs further study. Whether people who are not overweight could benefit also remains unresolved. Both trials were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and study co-authors include Lilly scientists.

## Sources

- [New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News](https://newatlas.com/disease/obesity/knee-osteoarthritis-pain-relief-weight-loss/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/-Zs7QsF4BJ6BY-XxnhRfaa
Published: 2026-11-08T17:06:38.080Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-08T16:30:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-08T19:26:39.406Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)