Weight loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may also result in some muscle loss, not just fat. Researchers are, therefore, testing whether a second drug could help protect muscle while people lose weight.According to new trial data, an experimental drug developed by Regeneron called trevogrumab reduced muscle loss when it was taken along with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.It could be a significant development in the GLP-1 weight loss drugs market as researchers are focusing on what kind of weight people are losing rather than how much. Ozempic Results In Muscle LossOzempic contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug that helps lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. As people eat less consistently and lose weight, the body can lose both fat mass and lean mass, which includes muscle.Reuters reported researchers found that patients who took semaglutide lost 6.7% of their lean muscle mass over 26 weeks in one part of the trial.This also does not mean that everyone on Ozempic will lose a large amount of muscle. Diet, physical activity, protein intake, age and starting muscle mass can all influence body composition during this weight loss.But preserving muscle is crucial, especially for older adults and people who already have low muscle mass.Also read: 2 Indians Charged In US Over Fake Ozempic Scheme: How To Spot Counterfeit GLP-1 DrugsCould Trevogrumab Help?Trevogrumab, developed by Regeneron, belongs to a class of drugs that targets myostatin, a protein involved in regulating muscle growth and maintenance.While semaglutide helps drive weight loss, trevogrumab may help prevent the body from breaking down as much muscle during that process.In the trial, people who received semaglutide alone lost 6.7% of their lean muscle mass over 26 weeks. Those who received semaglutide along with 75 mg of trevogrumab lost 3.3%, while the group receiving 25 mg lost 4.7%.That means the higher dose nearly halved the lean-mass loss seen with semaglutide alone.Also read: 21% In 80 Weeks: Lancet Study Finds Lilly’s Retatrutide Delivers One Of The Biggest Weight Losses EverMore About The Trial & TrevogrumabThe drug is experimental and has not been approved as a treatment for people taking GLP-1 drugs.The trial involved nearly 1,000 people aged 18 to 65, and the researchers are continuing to study trevogrumab. Regeneron has selected the 75 mg once-weekly dose for further studies and plans another mid-stage trial involving people over 65.The larger trial initially included another experimental drug, garetosmab. Two people receiving higher-dose trevogrumab in combination with garetosmab died during the first 26 weeks. One death had an undetermined cause in a person with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, while the other was due to cardiac arrest in someone with a history of cardiovascular disease. Regeneron said it will not continue developing the triple-drug combination. Maintaining Muscle Mass During Weight LossMuscle is important for strength, mobility, balance and everyday physical function. Losing too much muscle during rapid weight loss could be particularly concerning for older adults, who are already at risk of age-related muscle loss.This is why the next generation of obesity treatments may focus on more than the number on the weighing scale.Regeneron executive Boaz Hirshberg said, “What we want to do is concentrate on the quality of weight reduction. We want to find the best way to approach weight reduction, especially in vulnerable patients.”