Could China’s New Ozempic-like Drugs Beat Out Current Weight-Loss Medications?

image via New Scientist

July 1, 2025, 1:30 PM

• •China is emerging as a major innovator in the development of new GLP-1 drugs, with several in development targeting obesity and related complications.
• •Ecnoglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, showed significant weight loss and improved health markers in trials, with further studies assessing mazdutide and other innovative drugs.
• •These new drugs, including those mimicking GLP-1, glucagon, and GIP, aim to offer more tailored and accessible treatments for obesity and diabetes in Asian populations.
• •Companies are also exploring oral GLP-1 medications and biweekly injectable treatments, with global collaborations to test and commercialize these drugs.

China is rapidly developing a new generation of GLP-1 drugs to combat obesity and related health issues, with ecnoglutide showing promising results in clinical trials. These drugs, which mimic hormones like GLP-1, glucagon, and GIP, aim to offer more effective and personalized treatments. Numerous pharmaceutical companies in China are at the forefront of this innovation, some partnering with international firms to expand their reach. The research also emphasizes the importance of studying these drugs within Asian populations, where obesity and diabetes are significant concerns.

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