American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New Orleans | iPharmaCenter

ASTRAZENECA

Elecoglipron Delivers 11.8 Percent Weight Loss and 1.9 Percent HbA1c Reduction in Phase IIb Studies

Elecoglipron is being advanced into Phase III development after Phase IIb studies showed meaningful improvements in body weight, blood glucose and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Elecoglipron moves toward Phase III

Astrazeneca has reported that positive Phase IIb data from the VISTA and SOLSTICE programmes support taking the oral small molecule GLP 1 receptor agonist Elecoglipron into a late stage development plan focused on cardiometabolic and kidney disease. The company aims to expand its portfolio of therapies that address excess weight, metabolic dysfunction and related organ complications.

Also read: EULAR Annual Meeting in London, UK | 2026

VISTA Phase IIb obesity study

The VISTA trial enrolled 310 adults with obesity or overweight who also had at least one additional weight related condition.

• Participants receiving elecoglipron 75 mg achieved an average body weight reduction of 10.5 percent at week 26 compared with 0.6 percent in the placebo group, meeting one of the dual primary endpoints

• Weight loss continued beyond this time point, reaching 11.8 percent at 36 weeks for the 75 mg dose versus 0.3 percent with placebo, indicating that body weight was still declining at the end of the observation period.

SOLSTICE Phase IIb type 2 diabetes study

SOLSTICE was a global, randomised, double blind, parallel group Phase IIb trial that evaluated elecoglipron in adults with type 2 diabetes.

• The primary objective was to assess the change in HbA1c at week 26 with Elecoglipron 75 mg compared with placebo.

• Participants treated with elecoglipron 75 mg had an average HbA1c reduction of 1.9 percentage points from baseline at week 26, while those on placebo showed a 0.2 percentage point decrease, resulting in a statistically significant improvement in glycaemic control.

Most individuals receiving elecoglipron75 mg achieved guideline aligned glycaemic targets by week 26. The SOLSTICE study evaluated Elecoglipron at fixed doses of 5 mg, 15 mg and 25 mg, as well as titrated regimens up to 50 mg and 75 mg, using stepwise dose escalation every two or four weeks.

Also read: Best-Selling Cancer Drugs 2025: Top 10 by Revenue

Elecoglipron profile and mechanism

Elecoglipron is an investigational, once daily, oral small molecule GLP 1 receptor agonist that is intended to mimic the activity of the natural GLP 1 hormone. By activating GLP 1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and the hypothalamus, the medicine influences the brain gut axis, helping to regulate appetite, energy intake and overall metabolic function.

As a small molecule rather than a peptide, elecoglipron can be formulated as an oral therapy without specific food or fasting restrictions, which may support large scale manufacturing and offer practical advantages for patients.

Astrazeneca is developing elecoglipron both as a single agent and in combination regimens, with the goal of providing flexible options to help manage excess weight, its complications and interconnected cardiometabolic and kidney diseases. The company is also assessing its potential use in indications beyond type 2 diabetes and weight management.

Also read: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting | Chicago | 2026

---

BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM

Survodutide Demonstrates 16.6 Percent Weight Loss and Major Liver Fat Reduction in Phase III Studies

Boehringer Ingelheim has reported new Phase III findings for survodutide, highlighting substantial reductions in harmful fat deposits while preserving lean tissue in people with obesity.

The update expands on earlier topline results from the 76 week SYNCHRONIZE 1 study, which achieved its primary goals and demonstrated weight loss of up to 16.6 percent from baseline with the investigational glucagon and GLP 1 dual receptor agonist.

Also read: Top 10 Pharma Companies by Revenue in 2025

A detailed pre planned analysis from a sub study of SYNCHRONIZE 1 showed that survodutide reduced visceral fat by as much as 34 percent compared with baseline. At the highest dose, lean mass accounted for no more than 10.8 percent of the total tissue change, suggesting that most of the weight reduction was driven by fat loss. The same analysis also found liver fat decreased by up to 63.1 percent after 76 weeks, pointing to a focused reduction in metabolically harmful fat stores.

Additional data from the Phase III SYNCHRONIZE MASLD trial confirmed that the therapy met both primary endpoints. Among adults with metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease and excess weight, about 60 percent of participants treated with survodutide achieved normalization of liver fat levels after 48 weeks.

Also read: Eli Lilly Expands Infectious Disease Pipeline Through Strategic Biotech Acquisitions

Boehringer Ingelheim stated that the results from these global studies support the potential of survodutide to improve metabolic health outcomes in two key groups: individuals with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes, and those with excess weight and liver disease marked by inflammation or fibrosis.

SYNCHRONIZE 1 trial findings

The SYNCHRONIZE 1 study evaluated Survodutide over 76 weeks in adults with obesity or overweight who did not have type 2 diabetes. The trial successfully met its primary objectives based on both treatment regimen and efficacy analyses.

Participants receiving Survodutide achieved average weight loss of up to 16.6 percent, compared with 3.2 percent in the placebo group, representing a statistically significant difference.

In a sub group of participants who underwent MRI assessments at baseline and study completion, visceral fat declined by as much as 34 percent. Further analysis showed that reductions in lean mass were limited, with fat loss accounting for the majority of total weight change. Liver fat levels also dropped by up to 63.1 percent, reinforcing the therapy’s potential metabolic benefits.

SYNCHRONIZE MASLD trial findings

The SYNCHRONIZE MASLD study assessed Survodutide over 48 weeks in adults with overweight or obesity and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, including individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.

The study met its dual primary endpoints, showing meaningful improvements in both liver fat and body weight. Up to 84.2 percent of treated participants achieved at least a 30 percent reduction in liver fat, compared with 24.3 percent in the placebo group. Body weight decreased by as much as 12.2 percent in the treatment arm, versus 1.0 percent with placebo.

What is survodutide and what is its mechanism of action?

Survodutide is an investigational therapy designed to target both glucagon and GLP 1 receptors, which are key regulators of metabolic processes such as energy balance and glucose control. By stimulating these two pathways simultaneously, the drug aims to improve weight management and overall metabolic function.

---

PFIZER

Berobenatide Phase 2b Data Support Monthly GLP-1 Dosing with 2.2% HbA1c Reduction

Pfizer has shared new Phase 2b findings for berobenatide (PF-3944), an experimental monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist showing strong weight loss results and good tolerability, making a monthly dosing approach viable for later-stage trials.

The three Phase 2b studies, VESPER-1, VESPER-2, and VESPER-3, aimed to pinpoint the right doses for Phase 3 testing and evaluate different dose-escalation plans. Across weekly and monthly regimens in adults carrying excess weight, with or without type 2 diabetes, the results demonstrated three critical points: the drug works as a monthly GLP-1 option, side effects were manageable with few gastrointestinal issues and low drop-out rates even with fast dose increases, and a monthly shot in a small 0.5 mL volume could offer real convenience for patients.

Also read: Top 10 Pharma Companies by Revenue in 2025

New data from the VESPER-1 extension (Part B) marks the first time the top weekly dose has been fully assessed. Participants starting from placebo and moving to 2.4 mg weekly berobenatide lost 15.9% of body weight over 32 weeks (non-placebo-adjusted), with no sign of slowing down by week 32 (week 60 overall). The main VESPER-1 trial tests weekly dosing in people with obesity or excess weight, while Part B examines how well results hold over time and what happens when switching from weekly to less frequent shots, including monthly.

Results from VESPER-3, testing monthly maintenance shots in adults with excess weight but no diabetes, are also being shared. Meanwhile, VESPER-2, which tested weekly dosing in people with excess weight and type 2 diabetes, showed clear dose-related drops in both weight and HbA1c. By week 28, the 1.6 mg weekly dose cut HbA1c by 2.2% (efficacy estimand), compared to just 0.2% with placebo.

Across all three VESPER studies, berobenatide shows promise as a monthly GLP-1 shot that delivers meaningful weight loss, stays well-tolerated, and offers easier dosing for patients.

---

ELI LILLY

Lilly’s Retatrutide Delivers Significant Weight Loss, HbA1c Reduction, and Comorbidity Improvements

Eli Lilly has reported updated Phase 3 findings for retatrutide, a triple receptor agonist targeting GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon pathways, demonstrating extensive metabolic benefits across obesity and related comorbidities.

Also read: Top 10 Pharma Companies by Revenue in 2025

In the TRIUMPH-1 trial, which followed adults with obesity over 80 weeks and included dedicated cohorts for knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea, retatrutide achieved all primary endpoints. The treatment produced substantial and dose-dependent weight reduction.

• Mean weight loss reached 64.4 lbs (25.9%) with the 9 mg dose and 70.3 lbs (28.3%) with the 12 mg dose, while the 4 mg dose, achieved through a single escalation step, resulted in a reduction of 47.2 lbs (19.0%).

• Shifts in BMI categories highlight the scale of weight change. Among participants receiving 12 mg, 65.3% reduced their BMI to below 30, and 33.3% reached a BMI below 25. In individuals entering the study with a BMI of 35 or higher, extended treatment with 12 mg through 104 weeks led to an average weight loss of 85.0 lbs (30.3%).

Clinical benefits extended beyond weight. In participants with knee osteoarthritis, pain scores decreased by as much as 4.3 points, corresponding to a 73.1% reduction from a baseline of 6.0. In those with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, the apnea-hypopnea index declined by up to 36.1 events per hour (60.6%), improving from a baseline of 58.6 events per hour.

Also read: Top 10 U.S. healthcare companies by 2026 revenue

The TRANSCEND-T2D-1 study evaluated retatrutide in adults with type 2 diabetes over 40 weeks and met both primary and key secondary endpoints.

• Glycemic control improved significantly, with HbA1c reductions of up to 2.0 percentage points from a baseline of 7.9%.

• A large majority of participants reached standard treatment goals: up to 90% achieved HbA1c below 7.0%, while up to 85% reached 6.5% or lower.

• In addition, up to 46% of patients achieved HbA1c below 5.7%, consistent with normoglycemia.

Weight loss in the diabetes cohort was also substantial. Participants receiving the 12 mg dose experienced an average reduction of 36.6 lbs (16.8%) at 40 weeks, with continued downward trends suggesting that maximum weight loss had not yet been reached at the time of analysis.

Cardiometabolic risk factors improved across both studies. Across both trials, the safety profile aligned with expectations for incretin-based therapies, without new safety signals.

Retatrutide is an investigational once-weekly therapy designed to activate three key metabolic hormone receptors, GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon. It is currently being studied in a broad Phase 3 program spanning obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis-related pain, sleep apnea, cardiovascular and renal outcomes, and metabolic liver disease.

EliLilly’s Oral GLP-1 Orforglipron Delivers Weight Loss in Pre-, Peri-, and Post-Menopausal Women

Eli Lilly has released post-hoc analysis showing that orforglipron (Foundayo), the only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist without food or water restrictions, produces significant weight loss in women across all stages of menopause.

The findings draw from more than 1,500 female participants in the ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2 trials, which evaluated chronic weight management with once-daily oral orforglipron. Across both studies, the treatment demonstrated consistent efficacy regardless of menopausal status.

In ATTAIN-1, which enrolled adults with obesity or overweight, women receiving the highest dose achieved meaningful weight reductions at 72 weeks. Pre-menopausal participants lost an average of 28.0 lbs (12.8%), perimenopausal women lost 30.4 lbs (14.4%), and post-menopausal women lost 28.2 lbs (14.1%).

In ATTAIN-2, which focused on adults with type 2 diabetes, similar patterns were observed. Pre-menopausal women lost up to 23.4 lbs (11.3%), perimenopausal women lost 18.5 lbs (8.9%), and post-menopausal women lost 27.8 lbs (13.6%) at the highest dose.

A substantial proportion of participants achieved clinically meaningful weight thresholds, though the proportion varied by menopausal stage and study. For ≥15% weight loss at the 17.2 mg dose, the overall rate was 51.5% in ATTAIN-1 and 44.2% in ATTAIN-2. For the ≥20% weight loss threshold, results showed clear differences across menopausal stages. In ATTAIN-1, 24.2% of pre-menopausal, 29.9% of perimenopausal, and 23.8% of post-menopausal participants reached this level. In ATTAIN-2, 32.1% of pre-menopausal, 9.7% of perimenopausal, and 21.7% of post-menopausal participants achieved ≥20% weight loss.

Beyond total body weight, waist circumference also improved. Reductions reached up to 4.9 inches (12.5 cm) in ATTAIN-1 and up to 4.3 inches (11.0 cm) in ATTAIN-2 at 72 weeks.

Orforglipron is an FDA-approved once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist indicated for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. As a small non-peptide molecule, it can be taken at any time without food or water restrictions. The therapy was originally discovered by Chugai Pharmaceutical and licensed by Lilly in 2018.

---

NOVO NORDISK

Zenagamtide Delivers Up to 14.6% Weight Loss in diabetic patients

Novo Nordisk has presented phase 2 data for its dual-target peptide zenagamtide, indicating robust effects on both glycemic control and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The investigational therapy is designed to simultaneously engage GLP-1 and amylin pathways, a mechanism that aims to enhance metabolic regulation beyond what is typically seen with single-pathway agents. In this 36-week study, patients receiving once-weekly subcutaneous dosing demonstrated clear improvements compared with placebo across all tested dose levels.

Reductions in HbA1c were consistent and dose-responsive. Starting from an average baseline of 7.8%, the highest dose groups achieved declines approaching 1.7 percentage points by week 36. Even at lower doses, clinically meaningful reductions were observed, reinforcing the overall activity of the molecule across a broad dosing range.

Also read: Top 10 Pharma Companies by Revenue in 2025

The proportion of patients reaching standard glycemic thresholds was notably high. Nearly nine out of ten participants treated with zenagamtide reduced HbA1c below 7%, while 76.2% of patients achieved levels at or below 6.5%. Continuous glucose monitoring data further showed that patients maintained glucose values within the recommended range for the majority of the day, exceeding commonly accepted targets.

Weight loss emerged as another key outcome. Patients receiving mid-to-high dose regimens experienced pronounced reductions, with peak weight loss reaching approximately 14.6% over the study duration. These effects were observed even though exposure to the highest maintenance doses was relatively brief, suggesting the possibility of further benefit with longer treatment periods.

Also read: Top 10 U.S. healthcare companies by 2026 revenue

Across dose cohorts, HbA1c reductions at week 36 followed a generally dose-dependent pattern, with greater declines seen at higher dose levels.

Zenagamtide is currently being evaluated in both injectable and oral formulations, with broader development programs underway in type 2 diabetes and obesity. The dual-receptor strategy positions it within a growing class of next-generation metabolic therapies seeking to improve both glucose control and weight outcomes simultaneously.