Muscle-Sparing drug combo shows promise during weight loss

A Nature study (EMBRAZE) found that adding apitegromab, an anti-myostatin monoclonal antibody, to tirzepatide helps preserve lean mass while supporting fat loss in adults with overweight or obesity. Over 24 weeks and 102 participants, those on the combo lost less lean mass and about 85% of total weight loss came from fat; adverse events were higher with the combination (76% vs 71%). The trial excluded individuals with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, vascular disorders or active cancer, and the results provide clinical proof of concept for muscle-sparing approaches to GLP-1–based weight loss therapy.