Ecnoglutide, a novel GLP-1, safe and effective for treatment of overweight, obesity
Ecnoglutide, a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist, has delivered promising results in treating overweight and obesity. This groundbreaking drug led to important weight loss, with some participants experiencing up to a 13.2% body weight reduction over 40 weeks. The SLIMMER study further revealed cardiometabolic risk factors betterment. Ecnoglutide also showed a reduction in liver fat. This report, made available on News Directory 3, highlights the potential of ecnoglutide as a viable option for those seeking effective weight management, as it provides superior results compared to the placebo. Explore how this new drug might impact the future of weight loss treatments. Discover what’s next …
Novel GLP-1 Drug ecnoglutide Shows Promise for Weight Loss
ecnoglutide, a novel once-weekly GLP-1, induced weight loss of up to 13.2% at 40 weeks for adults with overweight or obesity. Image: Adobe Stock
A novel, long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist called ecnoglutide is showing promise as a weight loss medication. unlike other GLP-1 therapies, ecnoglutide selectively activates cAMP signaling pathways while minimizing beta-arrestin recruitment, which may explain its enhanced efficacy in body weight reduction and sustained metabolic effects, according to Li Ji.
The SLIMMER study, a phase 3 trial, was presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
The study, conducted across 36 sites in China, involved 664 adults with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 or ≥ 24 kg/m2 with one or more weight-related comorbidities) without diabetes. The participants’ mean age was 34 years, half were women, and the mean BMI at baseline was 32.5 kg/m2.
Participants were randomly assigned to once-weekly subcutaneous ecnoglutide at doses of 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, or 2.4 mg, or to a placebo.
After 40 weeks, the mean percent change in body weight from baseline was -9.1% with ecnoglutide 1.2 mg, -10.9% with ecnoglutide 1.8 mg, and -13.2% with ecnoglutide 2.4 mg, compared with 0.1% with placebo (P < .0001 for all), the study found.
The proportion of participants achieving a 5% or greater reduction in body weight at 40 weeks was 77% in the ecnoglutide 1.2 mg group, 84% in the 1.8 mg group, and 87% in the 2.4 mg group, compared with 16% in the placebo group (P < .0001 for all).
After 48 weeks, patients assigned ecnoglutide achieved a 15.4% weight reduction, with 92.8% of patients attaining clinically meaningful weight loss, according to Ji.
Ji said patients in the 1.8 mg and 2.4 mg groups continued to lose weight at week 48 without reaching a plateau, suggesting that even greater weight loss might be achievable with extended ecnoglutide treatment.
The researchers also reported significant improvements with ecnoglutide vs. placebo in weight-related parameters, including BMI and waist circumference, and in cardiometabolic risk factors, including systolic blood pressure, lipids, fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin level, and uric acid. Liver fat content was reduced with ecnoglutide in a subgroup of participants with elevated liver fat content (≥ 8%) at baseline.
Adverse events occurred more frequently in the ecnoglutide groups (93% vs. 84%), with mild to moderate gastrointestinal-related events being the most common. Ten participants assigned ecnoglutide stopped treatment because of adverse events, according to the results.
Ji said that given ecnoglutide’s high potency, it might be a viable option for individuals who do not achieve sufficient weight reduction with existing GLP-1 receptor agonists at thier approved doses or need to achieve a larger reduction in body weight.
What’s next
Further studies are anticipated to explore the long-term effects and optimal use of ecnoglutide in managing obesity and related metabolic conditions.