Innovent Biologics reports Phase 2 data showing mazdutide 9 mg achieved up to 18.6% weight loss with sustained cardiometabolic benefits in obese patients.
Written by: A. Mohamed Musharaf, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Innovent Biologics has reported detailed Phase 2 results for mazdutide (IBI362), a first‑in‑class dual agonist targeting both glucagon (GCG) and GLP‑1 receptors, demonstrating robust and sustained weight loss in Chinese adults with obesity. The findings, published in MED (Cell Press), support the continued development of the higher 9 mg dose for long‑term weight management.
Trial design and weight‑loss outcomes
In a multicenter, randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled Phase 2 trial (NCT04904913), 80 adults with obesity without diabetes received once‑weekly mazdutide or placebo for 24 weeks, followed by an optional 24‑week extension. Patients treated with mazdutide 9 mg achieved a placebo‑adjusted mean weight reduction of 15.4% at week 24, which further increased to 18.6% at week 48.
At week 24, 81.7% of patients achieved ≥5% weight loss, 65.0% achieved ≥10%, and 21.7% achieved ≥20%. By week 48, the proportion achieving ≥20% weight loss increased to 34.9%, reflecting sustained and progressive efficacy under weekly dosing.
Cardiometabolic and hepatic effects
Beyond weight reduction, mazdutide 9 mg produced broad cardiometabolic improvements. Patients experienced reductions in waist circumference and blood pressure, along with favorable changes in lipid profile and serum uric acid levels, with effects maintained through 48 weeks.
In patients with measurable hepatic steatosis at baseline, liver fat content was reduced by 73.3% at 48 weeks, suggesting potential benefit in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and related metabolic‑liver phenotypes.
Safety profile
Mazdutide 9 mg demonstrated a generally favorable safety profile in this cohort. There were no serious adverse events or premature discontinuations attributed to the investigational product. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which were predominantly mild to moderate and occurred primarily during dose escalation.
Phase 3 and regulatory context
These Phase 2 results are consistent with the Phase 3 GLORY‑2 trial, in which mazdutide 9 mg achieved a mean weight loss of 20.1% at 52 weeks in Chinese adults with moderate‑to‑severe obesity. Based on the cumulative efficacy and safety data, a marketing‑approval application for mazdutide 9 mg for obesity has been submitted to, and accepted for review by, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
Approved indications and dose context
Mazdutide is currently approved in China in the 2–6 mg dose range for both glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and for long‑term weight management in adults with overweight or obesity. The 9 mg dose is under regulatory review specifically for the treatment of obesity, with the potential to provide an effective, non‑surgical, long‑term pharmacologic option in this population.
Mechanistic and clinical positioning
As a dual GLP‑1/glucagon receptor agonist, mazdutide combines GLP‑1‑mediated appetite suppression with glucagon‑driven increases in energy expenditure, which may underlie its pronounced and sustained weight‑loss profile and broad metabolic benefits.
Dr. Lei Qian, Chief R&D Officer / General Biomedicine, Innovent Biologics, emphasized that mazdutide’s dual‑receptor mechanism supports strong efficacy and wide‑ranging metabolic improvements, positioning the 9 mg dose as a promising non‑surgical treatment for obesity in an increasingly high‑burden Chinese population with limited prior clinical evidence for GLP‑1‑based therapies.
Reference
A weight loss of over 15 kg in one year achieved with 9 mg mazdutide in a Phase 2 study of Chinese adults with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; results published in MED, a Cell Press Journal , 30 March 2026 , A weight loss of over 15 kg in one year achieved with 9 mg mazdutide in a Phase 2 study of Chinese adults with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; results published in MED, a Cell Press Journal .
A Study of IBI362 Evaluating Weight Loss in Obese and Overweight Chinese Subjects, ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04904913, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04904913
Ji L et al, Mazdutide 9 mg in Chinese adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 but without diabetes: A phase 2 randomized controlled trial. Med. 2026 Mar 23:101063. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41875890, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medj.2026.101063
Mohamed Musharaf A is a Pharmacy graduate from Ariyur, Puducherry, with a strong interest in data analysis and its application in healthcare. He is particularly interested in using data-driven insights to support pharmacovigilance and medical writing, with a focus on understanding complex datasets and translating them into meaningful, actionable solutions. Known for his dedication to learning and attention to detail, he continuously works to strengthen his analytical and domain knowledge.