Aug 1 (Reuters) - Trial results show Eli Lilly's ( LLY )

weight loss drug Zepbound reduces the risk of hospitalization,

death and other outcomes for obese adults with a common type of

heart failure, the company said on Thursday as it continues to

build a case for the medication's wider health benefits.

Shares of the drugmaker rose more than 3% in early trade.

The drug, also known as tirzepatide, reduced the risk of a

composite of heart failure urgent visit or hospitalization, oral

diuretic intensification or cardiovascular death by 38% compared

to a placebo.

The trial enrolled 731 patients across 10 countries who have

heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.

The condition "accounts for nearly half of all heart failure

cases, and in the U.S. almost 60% of those impacted also live

with obesity," Jeff Emmick, Lilly senior vice president, product

development, said in a statement.

Lilly said the study also showed the drug significantly

improved heart failure symptoms and physical limitations.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to

pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It is associated

with a high burden of symptoms and physical limitations

affecting daily life, including fatigue, shortness of breath,

reduced ability to exercise and swelling of extremities.

Trial patients on tirzepatide were given weekly injections

of the highest dose they could tolerate, up to 15 milligrams,

and were followed for a median of two years.

The drug led to 15.7% weight loss in the combined population

of people with and without type 2 diabetes, compared with 2.2%

for the placebo, Lilly said. For the non-diabetes patients,

weight loss was 13.9%.

Zepbound, also sold under the brand name Mounjaro for type 2

diabetes, is part of a top-selling class of drugs designed to

mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate

blood sugar, slow digestion and decrease appetite.

Lilly said the most common side effects for trial patients

on tirzepatide were diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting.

The company said it plans to submit the heart failure

results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other

regulatory agencies starting later this year. The findings will

also be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted

to a peer-reviewed journal.

Novo Nordisk has reported data showing its GLP-1

weight loss drug Wegovy reduces heart failure symptoms.