SURPASS‑EARLY Study Confirms Patients Receiving Tirzepatide Achieve Superior A1C Reduction and Weight Loss Compared to Routine Intensive Therapy Group
ShanghaiMay 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 26, Eli Lilly and Company announced that detailed results from the SURPASS‑EARLY study have been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. SURPASS‑EARLY is a Phase IV clinical study comparing the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide versus routine intensive therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes who were recently diagnosed and had inadequate glycemic control after metformin treatment.
Ms. Dehran, Vice President of Eli Lilly and General Manager of Lilly China, stated: “The SURPASS‑EARLY study results show that early intervention has the potential to positively impact the disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes. Over the two-year follow-up, patients receiving tirzepatide achieved superior A1C reduction and weight loss compared to the routine intensive therapy group, and more than half of the patients achieved blood glucose levels restored to the normal range. These results suggest that incorporating tirzepatide into treatment regimens at an early stage of the disease may bring greater clinical benefits to patients.”
Dr. Wang Li, Senior Vice President of Eli Lilly and Head of Lilly China Drug Development and Medical Affairs Center, said: “In the current clinical management of type 2 diabetes in China, achieving glycemic targets and weight management continues to pose ongoing challenges, and treatment pathways are being continuously optimized. The SURPASS‑EARLY study provides evidence supporting intensive intervention in early type 2 diabetes and offers clinical evidence for optimizing early treatment strategies. We will continue to accelerate research and development in the field of cardiometabolic health, promoting precise treatment for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes at an early stage.”
SURPASS-EARLY study results showed:
- In the recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes population, tirzepatide treatment for 2 years achieved a greater reduction in HbA1c (-1.99% vs -1.32%, P<0.001), and 60% of patients achieved normoglycemia (HbA1c<5.7%) (24% in the routine intensive therapy group), an effect that was sustained throughout the study period.
- Tirzepatide was significantly superior to the routine intensive therapy group in reducing both body weight and waist circumference (weight ETD -8.0 kg; waist circumference ETD -6.2 cm, both P values <0.001), with more patients achieving ≥10% and ≥15% weight loss, accompanied by improvements in multiple metabolic parameters including blood lipids, beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity.
The safety profile was consistent with previous studies: overall adverse event rates were similar between the two groups (74.6% vs 68.6%), predominantly mild to moderate gastrointestinal reactions; serious adverse event rates were comparable (5.5% vs 6.8%), with no reports of severe hypoglycemia. The discontinuation rate due to adverse events was low (4.5%).
CMAT-32669