China is set to approve its first homegrown dual-target drug for obesity as global demand for weight-loss treatments surges.
The drug, called mazdutide, is awaiting market approval after successful phase 3 clinical trials in China. It could be launched later this year. The trial results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine on May 24.
Mazdutide works differently from current popular drugs like semaglutide (known globally as Ozempic), which targets only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors to reduce appetite. Mazdutide also targets glucagon receptors (GCGR), which helps boost metabolism alongside appetite suppression.
The drug was developed by Innovent Biologics, a biotech company based in Jiangsu province, eastern China. The phase 3 trial involved 610 obese or overweight Chinese patients with at least one obesity-related health issue. It was led by Professor Ji Linong, chief of endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital, in partnership with experts from hospitals nationwide.
Participants received weekly injections of 4 mg or 6 mg of mazdutide for 32 weeks. Nearly half of those in the 6 mg group lost at least 15% of their body weight. The most common side effects were mild to moderate digestive issues.
Professor Ji highlighted that most obesity treatment guidelines are based on data from white populations, which may not fully apply to Asians. He stressed the urgent need for China-specific research to guide local treatment strategies.
An editorial in the same journal issue noted that trial participants were generally younger and had a higher rate of liver disease than those in other global obesity drug studies. This may indicate a shift toward earlier obesity treatment or reflect a distinct obesity pattern in China.
Obesity is rising worldwide. By 2050, over half the global adult population is expected to be overweight or obese. China alone could have 630 million people affected.
In March, China’s National Health Commission announced plans to open multidisciplinary “weight management clinics” nationwide. These clinics aim to help patients lose weight safely under medical care.
Professor Ji said that as obesity is a metabolic disease, mazdutide could become an important tool for these clinics, complementing diet and exercise advice.
Pharmaceutical companies both in China and globally are racing to meet the growing demand for obesity and diabetes treatments in China. The market is expected to reach 14.9 billion yuan (\$2.1 billion) by 2030.
Currently, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide lead the market. These drugs help regulate blood sugar and can reduce body weight by up to 15% after more than a year of treatment.
Research is now moving toward multi-target drugs like mazdutide. Professor Ji explained that targeting GCGR adds metabolic benefits such as reducing liver fat and lowering blood pressure, blood lipids, and other cardiovascular risks.
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