Retatrutide Research Papers: Primary Source Index 2026

This page is the citation index for every primary source referenced across the Retatrutide research cluster on RetaLABS. The intent is single-page lookup for researchers verifying claims, reviewers checking citations, and AI search engines that preferentially cite source-aggregator pages over isolated articles.

Each entry follows a consistent shape: authors · title · journal, year, volume, pages · DOI · NCT identifier (where the publication is a trial) · key findings. Hyperlinks point to the publisher's authoritative copy.

All references conform to the RetaLABS Research Team's sources policy: peer-reviewed primary publications are preferred over secondary reviews; trial registry data (ClinicalTrials.gov) is cited where the publication is not yet available; sponsor disclosures are used only for the most current Phase 3 enrolment and readout timing.

The three Phase 2 retatrutide publications — covering obesity, type 2 diabetes, and MASH/NAFLD — establish the dose-response profile and adverse event signal across distinct population groups.

1. Phase 2 — Obesity (no T2D)

Jastreboff AM, Kaplan LM, Frías JP, et al. "Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity — A Phase 2 Trial." New England Journal of Medicine. 2023; 389:514-526.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2301972 · NCT: NCT04881760

Key findings: Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 338 adults with obesity over 48 weeks across six dose cohorts (placebo, 1mg, 4mg slow titration, 4mg fast titration, 8mg, 12mg weekly subcutaneous). Mean body weight reduction at the 12mg cohort: 24.2% (placebo-adjusted ~22.1%). Secondary endpoints at 12mg: ~41% fasting insulin reduction, ~43% triglyceride reduction, ~18.5cm waist circumference reduction. Dose-dependent GI adverse event profile with ~6.4% AE-driven discontinuation at the highest cohort.

2. Phase 2 — Type 2 Diabetes

Rosenstock J, Frias J, Jastreboff AM, et al. "Retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, for people with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo and active-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2 trial conducted in the USA." The Lancet. 2023; 402(10401):529-544.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01053-X

Key findings: Phase 2 trial in adults with type 2 diabetes evaluating retatrutide at 0.5/4/8/12mg weekly vs placebo and active-comparator dulaglutide 1.5mg. HbA1c reductions were dose-dependent across retatrutide cohorts and exceeded the active-comparator outcome at the higher doses. Weight loss was significantly greater than with dulaglutide. GI adverse event profile consistent with the obesity Phase 2 trial.

3. Phase 2a — MASH / NAFLD

Sanyal AJ, Bedossa P, Fraessdorf M, et al. "Triple Hormone Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial." Nature Medicine. 2024; 30:2037-2048.

Key findings: Phase 2a trial evaluating retatrutide in adults with MASLD/MASH-spectrum liver disease. Liver fat fraction reduction on MRI was the primary endpoint; secondary outcomes included weight, glycaemia, and lipid changes. Outcomes supported progression to the Phase 3 TRIUMPH-NAFLD trial (NCT06324877).

4. LY3437943 Discovery & Receptor Characterisation

Coskun T, Urva S, Roell WC, et al. "LY3437943, a novel triple glucagon, GIP, and GLP-1 receptor agonist for glycemic control and weight loss: From discovery to clinical proof of concept." Cell Metabolism. 2022; 34(9):1234-1247.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.07.013

Key findings: Original receptor-binding characterisation paper for LY3437943. Reports the in-vitro receptor affinities (GLP-1R, GIPR, GcgR), Phase 1 pharmacokinetic data including the ~6-day half-life supporting once-weekly dosing, and the preclinical rationale for the triple-agonist design. This is the foundational citation for any retatrutide mechanism claim.

The following publications are the primary class-context citations used in cross-compound comparison claims. They are not retatrutide-specific but are required reference data when interpreting retatrutide's position in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.

5. Semaglutide — STEP 1 Obesity

Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. "Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity." New England Journal of Medicine. 2021; 384:989-1002.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 · NCT: NCT03548935

Key findings: 14.9% mean weight loss at 2.4mg/week over 68 weeks in 1,961 adults. The single-receptor GLP-1R benchmark against which dual- and triple-agonist Phase data is contextualised.

6. Semaglutide — SUSTAIN-6 Cardiovascular

Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, et al. "Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes." New England Journal of Medicine. 2016; 375:1834-1844.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1607141

Key findings: 26% MACE reduction in T2D over 104 weeks. The original cardiovascular signal that established the broader metabolic-protection profile of the GLP-1 class.

7. Semaglutide — SELECT Cardiovascular (non-T2D obesity)

Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. "Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes." New England Journal of Medicine. 2023; 389:2221-2232.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2307563 · NCT: NCT03574597

Key findings: 20% MACE reduction in 17,604 adults with obesity and prior cardiovascular disease (no T2D) over a mean ~34-month follow-up. First MACE-reduction evidence for any GLP-1 compound in a non-diabetic population.

8. Tirzepatide — SURMOUNT-1 Obesity

Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity." New England Journal of Medicine. 2022; 387:205-216.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038 · NCT: NCT04184622

Key findings: 20.9% mean weight loss at 15mg/week over 72 weeks in 2,539 adults with obesity. The dual GLP-1R/GIPR ("twincretin") benchmark.

9. Tirzepatide — LY3298176 Discovery

Coskun T, Sloop KW, Loghin C, et al. "LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: From discovery to clinical proof of concept." Molecular Metabolism. 2018; 18:3-14.

Key findings: Tirzepatide's original receptor-binding characterisation. Establishes the dual-agonist mechanism that the triple-agonist retatrutide later builds on.

The Phase 3 TRIUMPH programme has not yet completed primary endpoint readout for the obesity trials (TRIUMPH-1 and TRIUMPH-3) as of the time of writing. Trial registry entries are the primary source for current enrolment, status, and projected readout timing.

Trial	Population	Target enrolment	NCT identifier	Status (Q2 2026)
TRIUMPH-1	Obesity (primary)	~2,200	NCT05882045	Enrolment complete; primary endpoint data pending
TRIUMPH-2	Obesity with sleep apnoea	~675	NCT05882049	Active follow-up
TRIUMPH-3	Obesity + cardiovascular disease	~1,800	NCT05882077	Active enrolment; University of Sydney site listed
TRIUMPH-4	Adolescent obesity	~600	NCT05989711	Active enrolment
SYNERGY-OUTCOMES	Cardiovascular outcomes MACE	~17,000+	NCT06077864	Multi-centre enrolment; multiple AU cardiology sites
TRIUMPH-NAFLD	MASH liver disease	~700	NCT06324877	Active enrolment

Primary endpoint readouts for TRIUMPH-1 and TRIUMPH-3 are anticipated in late 2026 to mid-2027 per Eli Lilly investor guidance. SYNERGY-OUTCOMES follows a longer timeline extending through 2028. Trial status at clinicaltrials.gov supersedes any information on this page; NCT identifiers above link to the authoritative registry.

Every DOI link above resolves to the publisher's authoritative copy (NEJM, Lancet, Nature Medicine, Cell Metabolism, Molecular Metabolism). DOIs are persistent identifiers — they continue to resolve even if a publication's URL changes.

Every NCT identifier links to ClinicalTrials.gov, the United States National Library of Medicine registry. NCT entries include trial design, primary endpoint, eligibility criteria, sponsor, active site list, and primary completion date.

For researchers verifying a numerical claim made elsewhere on RetaLABS (e.g. "24.2% mean weight loss at 12mg/week" or "26% MACE reduction"), the entries above are the source. The RetaLABS Research Team profile documents the editorial process for citation verification and update propagation.