A new obesity treatment developed by Chinese corporations has been shown to be superior to its competitors in the United States and Europe, according to clinical trial results. It is noted that it has similar weight loss effects while also possessing the ability to control blood sugar and fat metabolism. The pharmaceutical industry is paying attention to whether China will emerge as an 'emerging powerhouse' in the field of obesity treatments.
Sciwind Biosciences, a biotechnology corporation based in Hangzhou, China, announced that its obesity drug candidate 'Acnoglutide' showed an average weight loss effect of over 15% within just 48 weeks. The results of this study were published on the 21st (local time) in the international journal 'Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.'
◇GLP-1 upgrade, precise blood sugar control
Acnoglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class of drug like Wegovy. It mimics GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar, inducing weight loss by reducing food intake and increasing feelings of fullness.
Sciwind noted that its obesity drug stimulates cyclic AMP (cAMP), a signaling substance that regulates energy in the body, more precisely than Wegovy. Cyclic AMP controls how sugars and fats are used and stored. The company explained that by fine-tuning this pathway, the effects of weight loss and blood sugar control can be enhanced.
In addition to weight loss, Acnoglutide has shown effects on improving cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors, as well as reducing fatty liver. In phase 3 clinical trial results, 93% of the Acnoglutide group lost at least 5% of their body weight. This figure surpasses those shown in Chinese clinical trials for Wegovy (87%) and Monjaro (85%).
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China is currently reviewing Acnoglutide's product license application. Approval is anticipated as early as next year. Sciwind stated that it is also exploring overseas market entry in partnership with global pharmaceutical companies. In the domestic market, HK inno.N has secured the development and commercialization rights for this drug.
◇Aiming for 'obesity drug innovation country' with triple-action agents
China is developing a variety of obesity drugs. In addition to leading GLP-1 class drugs in the global market, multiple double- and triple-action agents targeting metabolically related hormones such as glucagon (GCG) and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) have also entered clinical trials. The industry assesses that China has rapidly emerged as an 'emerging powerhouse' in global obesity treatment development.
On the 27th, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China granted marketing authorization for 'Mazhdatide', jointly developed by Eli Lilly of the United States and Innovent Biologics of China. Mazhdatide is the world's first dual-action agent that mimics both GLP-1 and GCG simultaneously and is expected to compete directly with Wegovy and Zepbound in the U.S. market.
In addition, United Laboratories of China is developing a triple-action agent candidate 'UBT251' that mimics three hormones: GLP-1, GCG, and GIP. This drug has entered the early clinical trial phase targeting chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes in addition to weight loss. It is also noteworthy as the first GLP-1 class treatment that can be administered biweekly.
Novo Nordisk, the developer of Wegovy, acquired global exclusive rights for UBT251 in March for up to $2 billion (2.7 trillion won). This is a licensing agreement excluding China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals has also initiated the development of a biweekly injection obesity treatment 'Bofenglutide' in the GLP-1 class. A phase 2 clinical trial comparing its effectiveness with Zepbound is currently underway in the United States involving obesity patients.
The pharmaceutical industry believes that the share of obesity treatments originating from China will grow in the global market within a few years. Daniel Drucker, a professor at the University of Toronto in Canada, noted, "Currently, dozens of GLP-1 obesity drugs are being developed in China," adding, "China is emerging as a new innovation country in the obesity drug area."
References
Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol(2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(25)00141-X