Novo Nordisk announced that its China-based partner United Bio-Technology’s investigational triple incretin receptor agonist UBT251 met the primary endpoint in a randomized Phase II study in adults with overweight or obesity, achieving up to 19.7% mean weight loss at 24 weeks versus 2.0% with placebo.
UBT251 is a once-weekly injectable peptide designed to activate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon receptors, placing it within an emerging class of multi-agonist metabolic therapies under evaluation for obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. The strength of performance at just 24 weeks of treatment indicates potential ability to out-perform single-target incretin drugs, and to offer competition to Eli Lilly’s own tri-agonist incretin drug retratutide.
Trial specifics
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study enrolled 205 adults in China with overweight or obesity and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Patients received once-weekly subcutaneous UBT251 across multiple dose cohorts or placebo over a 24-week treatment period, with percentage change in body weight from baseline at week 24 as the primary endpoint.
Treatment with UBT251 resulted in up to 19.7% mean weight reduction in the highest-dose group, compared with 2.0% in the placebo arm. Improvements were also reported across secondary metabolic endpoints including waist circumference, glycemic parameters, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. The safety profile was described as consistent with incretin-based therapies, although full data have not yet been publicly disclosed.