AstraZeneca has reported promising results from a mid-stage clinical trial of its experimental obesity pill, with patients losing an average of 10.5% of their body weight over 26 weeks.
The pharmaceutical company said the results mark a key step forward as it moves the once-daily drug into late-stage trials in the highly competitive weight-loss treatment market.
According to AstraZeneca, patients receiving the experimental drug elecoglipron showed significant weight reduction during the study period.
Participants taking the highest dose recorded:
- 10.5% weight loss at 26 weeks
- 11.8% weight loss at 36 weeks
The company said the weight loss trend continued over time, with sustained results observed across the trial duration.
Late-stage trials next for obesity pill
AstraZeneca confirmed that the drug will now advance into late-stage clinical trials following earlier positive results announced in February.
The trial involved 310 adults with obesity or overweight conditions, many of whom also had at least one weight-related health issue.
Nearly 89% of patients on the highest dose achieved at least 5% weight loss, meeting another key study target.
The results place AstraZeneca in direct competition with major pharmaceutical players, including:
- Novo Nordisk
- Eli Lilly
- Roche
Other obesity treatments have shown similar or even higher weight-loss outcomes in clinical studies, intensifying the race to dominate the fast-growing global market.
Side effects reported in study
The company reported that the most common side effects were gastrointestinal in nature, including:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
For the highest 75 mg dose:
- Nausea affected 55% of patients
- Constipation affected 41%
- Diarrhoea affected 35%
- Vomiting affected 27%
Despite these effects, AstraZeneca said discontinuation rates remained low.
Additional diabetes trial results
In a separate study involving patients with type 2 diabetes, the drug also met its primary endpoint for blood sugar control.
At the highest dose, participants experienced:
- 7.7% weight loss at 26 weeks
The company licensed elecoglipron from China’s Eccogene in 2023 in a deal worth up to around $2 billion, highlighting its strategic importance in AstraZeneca’s long-term obesity treatment portfolio.
Executives say the drug could eventually be combined with other therapies targeting obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease.
.jpg)
