48 weeks weight loss of 15.1%, efficacy comparable to Eli Lilly! China's original research "weight loss miracle drug" is here
The Phase III clinical results of the weight loss drug Elnoglutide developed by Chinese Xianwei Da Biotechnology are impressive, with an average weight loss of 15.1% over 48 weeks of treatment. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's "flagship weight loss products" may face a strong competitor. As the world's first biased GLP-1 receptor agonist to complete Phase III trials, this drug also has the advantage of improving metabolic indicators and is planned to be approved in China in early 2026
The obesity treatment drug Ecnoglutide developed by the Chinese biotechnology company Hangzhou Xianweida Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has shown strong performance in Phase III clinical trials, with patients averaging over 15% weight loss after 48 weeks of treatment. This achievement marks an important step for China in the global weight loss drug market competition, potentially bringing strong competitors to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's "ace weight loss products."
According to the latest public information, the Phase III clinical trial (SLIMMER) of Ecnoglutide injection for the treatment of overweight or obese patients in China is led by Professor Ji Linong's team from Peking University People's Hospital. The research results were presented in a verbal report at the 85th American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions on June 21 local time, and the full text was simultaneously published online in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Clinical trial data shows that 93% of patients receiving the highest dose of Ecnoglutide experienced at least a 5% weight loss. Bloomberg reported that this percentage outperforms the 85%-87% data from the trials of Novo Nordisk's Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide in China, providing patients with greater treatment confidence.
Dr. Pan Hai, founder and CEO of Xianweida, revealed to the media that Ecnoglutide is a drug administered once a week and is currently undergoing regulatory review in China for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, with the earliest approval expected in early 2026.
Weight Loss of 15.1% On Par with International Standards
According to YaoYao Pro, the SLIMMER study is currently the largest sample size Phase III clinical trial for weight loss drugs in China, enrolling 664 patients with obesity (BMI≥28kg/m²) or overweight (BMI≥24kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbidity across 36 centers nationwide. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Ecnoglutide 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4mg, or a placebo once a week for 48 weeks.
At week 48, the 2.4mg dose group showed a weight reduction of 15.4% from baseline, with the actual weight loss after removing the placebo effect reaching 15.1%. 92.8% of the subjects achieved a weight loss of ≥5% (clinical efficacy standard), a figure far exceeding the -0.3% of the placebo group and significantly better than similar domestic studies.
Trial results indicate that in addition to significant weight loss, patients also showed improvements in metabolic health indicators such as blood pressure, uric acid, and liver fat.
Technical Advantage: Biased GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
It is reported that Ecnoglutide is the world's first biased GLP-1 receptor agonist to complete Phase III clinical trials. The drug works similarly to Novo Nordisk's Semaglutide by mimicking the effects of the natural hormone GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar and appetite.
Pan Hai believes that the structural differences of Ecnoglutide make it more effective and safer than other GLP-1 receptor agonists, with effects comparable to a new generation of drugs targeting other hormones
Market Competition Intensifies
Analysis indicates that Enegrolide will compete with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy), Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, and Innovent Bio's weight loss drugs in the Chinese market after its approval.
According to a recent report by LEK Consulting, there are over 30 experimental weight loss drugs in the late-stage pipeline in China, and competition will further intensify. Nevertheless, Innovent Bio remains optimistic about the market outlook, believing that the value of the Chinese weight loss drug market exceeds 100 billion yuan.
The company has tested Enegrolide in Australia and New Zealand and has reached a commercialization agreement with South Korea, but has not yet initiated research in the United States or Europe. However, Professor Tricia Tan from Imperial College London noted in a comment in The Lancet that clinical results may be applicable to other populations, and Enegrolide is expected to increase the accessibility of effective treatments for obesity globally
