Aug 20 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly ( LLY ) said on Tuesday its

weight loss drug cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by

94% in patients with pre-diabetes and those who were obese or

overweight in a long-term study.

The drugmaker disclosed the data from a three-year

follow-up of a late-stage trial called "SUMROUNT-1", the results

of which were initially published in 2022.

Both Eli Lilly ( LLY ) and rival Novo Nordisk have

been pushing to extend the use of their obesity drugs to related

conditions such as sleep apnea and heart conditions.

Treatment with tirzepatide, the chemical name for Lilly's

obesity drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro, resulted

in an average weight reduction of 22.9%, compared to just 2.1%

for the placebo, the company said.

"These data reinforce the potential clinical benefits of

long-term therapy for people living with obesity and

pre-diabetes," Lilly's senior vice president of product

development, Jeff Emmick, said in a statement.

The company said the safety profile of the drugs was

consistent with previously published data.