Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol

ADA 2025: Novel GLP-1 agonist proves safe, effective for weight control

June 26, 2025

Ecnoglutide, a novel cyclic adenosine monophosphate-biased glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist, demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful weight loss with a favorable safety profile in a non-diabetic population, according to a study presented at the annual American Diabetes Association. These findings support its potential as a new GLP-1 receptor agonist option for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity.

Study details: This phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT05813795) enrolled 664 Chinese adults aged 18 to 75 years with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥28 or ≥24 with comorbidities) but without diabetes. Participants were randomized to receive weekly SC ecnoglutide (1.2, 1.8, or 2.4 mg) or placebo for 40 weeks. The coprimary endpoints were percent weight change and proportion achieving ≥5% weight loss.

Results: Ecnoglutide produced dose-dependent weight loss: -9.1% (1.2 mg), -10.9% (1.8 mg), and -13.2% (2.4 mg) vs. 0.1% with placebo (all p<0.0001). The proportion achieving ≥5% weight loss was 77% to 87% across ecnoglutide groups vs. 16% with placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild-to-moderate GI symptoms, with similar rates across treatment arms (93% vs. 84% in placebo).

Source:

Ji L, et al. (2025, June 20). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. Efficacy and safety of a biased GLP-1 receptor agonist ecnoglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40555243/