Key Takeaways
- Novo Nordisk partnered with United Laboratories to announce UBT251 delivered average weight reduction of 19.7% following 24 weeks in a mid-stage trial conducted in China.
- The experimental treatment is classified as a “triple G” therapy, activating three distinct hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.
- Trial participants experienced a favorable safety profile, with predominantly mild to moderate digestive issues that diminished as treatment continued.
- Results emerged just one day following CagriSema’s inability to surpass Eli Lilly’s Zepbound in direct comparison testing.
- The pharmaceutical giant committed up to $2 billion for worldwide development rights to UBT251 in March 2025.
Novo Nordisk and United Laboratories International disclosed Tuesday that UBT251, their investigational obesity treatment, generated average weight reduction reaching 19.7% in a mid-stage clinical study performed in China.
The clinical study spanned 24 weeks, evaluating various once-weekly injectable dosing levels of UBT251 against a control group in Chinese participants classified as overweight or obese.
Participants entered the study with an average baseline body weight of 92.2 kg. Those receiving placebo experienced only 2.0% reduction during the identical timeframe.
In addition to weight reduction, participants demonstrated measurable improvements in waist measurements, glucose levels, and blood pressure readings when compared to the control group.
The investigational drug demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Digestive system adverse events were classified as mild to moderate in severity and diminished progressively throughout the treatment period.
UBT251 has been designated a “triple G” therapy due to its mechanism targeting three distinct hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. This distinguishes it from existing single-target GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound.
The GLP-1 receptor activation reduces appetite. GIP receptor engagement assists with appetite control and glucose regulation. Glucagon receptor activity helps maintain appropriate blood-sugar levels.
Comparing UBT251 to Current Options
The clinical findings arrive during a challenging period for Novo Nordisk. Merely 24 hours before this announcement, the pharmaceutical company disclosed data demonstrating its CagriSema compound produced 23% weight reduction across 84 weeks — yet remained below Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, which delivered 25.5% in the identical comparative study.
Novo Nordisk’s shares declined 3.10% following the CagriSema data announcement.
United Biotechnology, the division responsible for executing the Chinese study, has announced intentions to advance UBT251 into late-stage clinical testing with Chinese participants following these positive findings.
Novo Nordisk independently initiated its own international clinical trial of UBT251, evaluating multiple dosing regimens in approximately 330 participants for durations up to 28 weeks. Data from that study is anticipated in 2027.
The pharmaceutical company additionally intends to launch a mid-stage clinical trial focusing on Type 2 diabetes patients during the latter part of this year.
The Licensing Agreement
Novo Nordisk obtained worldwide development rights to UBT251 during March 2025 via a licensing agreement with United Laboratories valued at up to $2 billion. The arrangement provides Novo with exclusive authority to develop, produce, and market UBT251 across all territories excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan — those geographic markets remain with United Biotechnology.
This agreement represents one of multiple partnerships Novo Nordisk has executed recently to strengthen its drug development pipeline. The pharmaceutical giant also attempted to purchase U.S.-based startup Metsera, though ultimately lost that competitive acquisition to Pfizer.
Novo Nordisk’s Chief Scientific Officer Martin Holst Lange stated the company is “very encouraged” by the Chinese clinical trial data and considers it demonstrates the therapeutic potential of UBT251.
The international clinical trial data for UBT251 is projected for release in 2027.
