Drugs

Novo Nordisk Triple G Weight Loss Drug Shows Promise

Novo Nordisk says its investigational triple agonist UBT251 demonstrated up to 19.7% mean weight loss after 24 weeks in a Phase 2 trial in China, adding a new entrant to the intensifying race for next-generation obesity drugs. UBT251, a once-weekly injectable peptide targeting the receptors for GLP-1, GIP and glucagon, is being co-developed by Novo and TUL’s subsidiary United Bio-Technology. Triple agonists, often referred to as “triple G” therapies, are widely viewed by analysts as a potential next wave beyond current GLP-1–based blockbusters such as Wegovy and Zepbound.

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 205 Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, patients receiving the highest 6 mg dose achieved mean weight loss of 19.7% (17.5 kg) from a baseline average weight of 92.2 kg after 24 weeks. That compared with 2.0% (1.6 kg) in the placebo arm, according to the company. All dose groups met the primary endpoint of percentage weight reduction and showed statistically significant improvements versus placebo across secondary measures, including waist circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid levels.

The safety profile appeared consistent with incretin-based therapies, with mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal adverse events that diminished over time, the company says.

UBT251’s weight loss at 24 weeks compares favorably with earlier-stage data from other multi-agonist candidates. However, analysts caution that cross-trial comparisons are inherently limited due to differences in populations, dosing, and study duration.

In recent research notes following the announcement, equity analysts characterized the data as “competitive for a 24-week readout,” while emphasizing that durability, tolerability at higher doses, and cardiometabolic outcomes will be critical differentiators in later-stage trials. Some analysts also noted that glucagon receptor activation may enhance weight loss through increased energy expenditure but could introduce additional tolerability or metabolic considerations that require careful dose optimization.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome