A China-led research team has published phase III clinical trial results for a new obesity treatment in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), marking a key achievement in the country’s growing role in endocrinology and metabolic research.
The study confirmed the effectiveness and safety of Mazdutide, the world’s first dual receptor agonist targeting both GCG and GLP-1 receptors. This drug, designed for overweight or obese patients, aims to improve weight management. Xiao Ruiping, deputy editor of NEJM, said the drug represents a breakthrough for Chinese-developed weight-loss medications on the global stage.
Mazdutide differs from traditional GLP-1 receptor agonists by also activating glucagon (GCG) receptors. GCG, secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, promotes fat burning and increases energy use. Ji Linong, lead researcher and head of endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital, explained that this dual action helps reduce appetite and speeds up metabolism. This makes the drug effective against complex problems like visceral fat and insulin resistance, where single-target treatments often fail.
Ji also emphasized that the clinical success of Mazdutide shows that China’s drug development capabilities for metabolic diseases have reached international standards, supporting the national Healthy China 2030 initiative.
Qian Lei, a senior executive at Innovent Bio, the drug’s co-developer, said Mazdutide has completed important phase III trials and is expected to be launched in China later this year for both weight loss and blood sugar control.
China faces rising obesity rates. The 2024 adult obesity nutrition guidelines from the National Health Commission report that 34.3% of Chinese adults are overweight, while 16.4% are obese.
In response, the government has increased efforts to fight obesity. Last year, the “Healthy Weight Management Action” was added as a major program under Healthy China 2030, aiming to slow obesity growth by 2030. In April, the State Council’s health campaign office introduced eight key measures to create supportive environments for weight control and encourage public involvement.
Zheng Hong, president of the China Health Culture Association, highlighted the importance of including weight management in national health policy. He said it not only improves people’s quality of life but also benefits social productivity and sustainable development. Zheng expressed hope that more sectors will join the effort to provide better weight management resources for a wider population.
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