Key Highlights
- Mid-stage trial data from China shows UBT251 delivered up to 19.7% mean weight reduction over 24 weeks
- The treatment activates three hormonal pathways — GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon — giving rise to its “triple G” nickname
- Adverse events were primarily mild to moderate and diminished as treatment progressed
- Data emerges just 24 hours following disappointing CagriSema head-to-head results against Eli Lilly’s Zepbound
- Novo secured worldwide commercialization rights through a partnership potentially valued at $2 billion, finalized in March 2025
On Tuesday, Novo Nordisk alongside United Laboratories International disclosed positive outcomes from their investigational weight loss treatment UBT251, demonstrating mean body weight reductions reaching 19.7% following 24 weeks of dosing in a mid-stage study conducted across China.
Comparatively, participants receiving placebo experienced only 2.0% weight loss during the identical timeframe. Trial participants began with an average baseline body weight of 92.2 kilograms.
The clinical study evaluated multiple once-weekly subcutaneous injection dosages of UBT251 compared to placebo among Chinese individuals classified as overweight or obese. Beyond primary endpoints, participants demonstrated improvements across secondary measures such as waist measurements, glucose levels, and cardiovascular blood pressure readings.
Reported adverse events were characterized as mild to moderate gastrointestinal reactions that diminished in frequency and severity throughout the treatment period. Both organizations classified the safety and tolerability profile as favorable.
UBT251’s Unique Mechanism of Action
Unlike conventional treatments, UBT251 engages three distinct hormonal pathways simultaneously. The compound activates GLP-1 for appetite regulation, incorporates GIP to control hunger signals and glycemic response, and leverages glucagon to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and prevent hypoglycemia. This triple-pathway activation mechanism earned the molecule its “triple G” moniker.
Presently dominant medications Wegovy and Zepbound focus exclusively on GLP-1 receptor activation, positioning UBT251 as a more comprehensive therapeutic strategy.
Challenging Period for Novo Nordisk
This encouraging UBT251 announcement arrives merely 24 hours after disappointing outcomes for the pharmaceutical giant. The company’s CagriSema candidate generated 23% weight reduction across 84 weeks but underperformed against Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, which delivered 25.5% weight loss in direct comparative analysis.
Following the CagriSema disclosure, Novo Nordisk shares declined 3.10%.
United Biotechnology, which conducted the Chinese clinical research, intends to advance UBT251 into late-stage development within China. Concurrently, Novo Nordisk has initiated its own international study enrolling approximately 330 participants, with readout anticipated in 2027.
An additional mid-stage investigation focusing on Type 2 diabetes patients is scheduled to commence later this calendar year.
The Multi-Billion Dollar Partnership
Novo Nordisk obtained worldwide development and commercialization rights for UBT251 during March 2025 via a licensing agreement with United Laboratories potentially worth $2 billion in total consideration. United Biotechnology maintained exclusive rights throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan territories.
Martin Holst Lange, serving as Novo Nordisk’s Chief Scientific Officer, characterized the clinical data as “very encouraging” and emphasized the compound’s therapeutic promise.
Separately, the company pursued acquisition discussions with U.S.-based biotechnology firm Metsera to strengthen its development portfolio but ultimately lost that competitive bidding process to Pfizer.
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