A novel anti-obesity drug could see patients lose more than a quarter of their body weight in one to two years — an amount comparable to bariatric surgery — US research reports.

Results from a phase 3 trial of tirzepatide found that one in three participants with a BMI of more than 30, but no diabetes, saw a 25% reduction in weight on a 15mg dose.

The drug regimen involved subcutaneous injections over 72 weeks with a 20-week dose escalation period, according to the study that concluded an “unusually” high degree of weight loss could be achieved without compromising safety.

“Finally, bariatric surgery results in weight reduction of approximately 25% to 30% at one to two years,” said the team, led by Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut.