| Dimension | Scoring Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Study Design | Four core Phase 3 RCTs have now reported: TRIUMPH-4 (obesity + knee OA, 68 weeks, December 2025), TRIUMPH-1 (obesity without T2D, n=2,339, 80 weeks, May 2026), and TRIUMPH-2 (obesity + T2D) and TRIUMPH-3 (obesity + established cardiovascular disease), both July 2026. TRANSCEND-T2D-1 (Phase 3, T2D) also reported in 2026. TRIUMPH-1 is double-blind and placebo-controlled across 131 sites in 11 countries. Meets the threshold for 25/25 (multiple human RCTs). Previously scored 20/25 when only the Phase 2 NEJM paper existed. Unchanged since June 2026. |
25 / 25 |
| Sample Size Updated | TRIUMPH-1 alone enrolled 2,339 participants and is now published in full, peer-reviewed. TRIUMPH-2 (n=1,152) and TRIUMPH-3 (n=1,949) have also reported. Meets the rubric threshold of 1,000+ participants for 20/20. The June 2026 score held this at 16/20 pending the remaining core TRIUMPH readouts and full publication; both conditions have now been met. Previously 16/20; originally 8/20 based on the 338-participant Phase 2. |
20 / 20 |
| Replication | Multiple Lilly-run Phase 3 trials across different indications and patient populations now constitute the evidence base, and their results point in the same direction. However, all trials are Lilly-sponsored, and no academically independent or third-party replication exists yet. Scored as single group, multiple studies: 10/20. Previously 5/20 (single study). True independent replication remains the gap; this score will move again if independent academic work emerges. Unchanged since June 2026. |
10 / 20 |
| Journal Impact Factor Updated | Score unchanged; evidence base updated. TRIUMPH-1 published in full in the New England Journal of Medicine (Jastreboff et al., September 29, 2026). TRIUMPH-2 published in The Lancet the same day. Phase 2 primary results were also published in NEJM (2023). The Phase 3 evidence now sits in the two highest-impact general medical journals, confirming 15/15. |
15 / 15 |
| Funding Independence Corrected | Eli Lilly funded all trials, including Phase 2 and the entire TRIUMPH Phase 3 program. Trials are pre-registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (TRIUMPH-1: NCT05929066) and rigorously conducted, but no independent academic funding source has been identified. Previously recorded as 3/10, which does not correspond to a tier in the published rubric. Corrected to 4/10, the rubric tier for industry-funded, pre-registered trials. |
4 / 10 |
| Population Diversity | TRIUMPH-1 enrolled adults with obesity or overweight without T2D across 131 sites in 11 countries; TRIUMPH-4 enrolled obesity + knee OA; TRIUMPH-2 and TRANSCEND-T2D-1 enrolled people with T2D; TRIUMPH-3 enrolled people with established cardiovascular disease. Reasonable demographic and clinical mix. Held at a moderate score pending review of the published demographic breakdown. Unchanged from original score. |
3 / 5 |
| Researcher h-Index | Lead investigators include Ania Jastreboff (Yale, h-Index 20+), lead author on both the Phase 2 and TRIUMPH-1 NEJM papers, alongside prominent endocrinologists with strong academic profiles. Unchanged from original score. |
5 / 5 |