China-headquartered Hengrui Pharmaceuticals announced on 15 July that its GLP-1/GIP dual agonist HRS9531 met primary endpoints in a Phase III obesity trial (n=567), demonstrating up to 19.2% weight loss after 48 weeks of treatment. The drug showed superior efficacy to placebo, with 88% of participants achieving ≥5% weight reduction and 44.4% reaching ≥20% reduction. HRS9531's safety profile aligned with existing GLP-1 therapies, featuring manageable gastrointestinal side effects. Hengrui plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) in China imminently while partner Kailera Therapeutics advances global development under a USD 6 billion licensing deal.

HRS9531 targets the USD 16.5 billion obesity market dominated by Eli Lilly's tirzepatide. Hengrui's candidate distinguishes itself through sustained weight loss beyond 48 weeks and a potentially optimised receptor activation profile. The company also progresses oral GLP-1 agonist HRS-7535, which showed 9.5% weight reduction in Phase II with minimal liver toxicity risks — a key advantage over discontinued competitors like Pfizer's danuglipron.

According to PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database, GIP and glucagon receptors are the targets most commonly associated with the GLP-1 strategy among candidates under development. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.

Source:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzkxNTA5NjM1OA==&mid=2247764292&idx=1&sn=3e739b48a5e9910b8dd5b7c95187d963&poc_token=HCjphmiju_OkxVPhyTHYYpN1ukxrILlpM_TOmIXw