Key Highlights
- UBT251, co-developed by Novo Nordisk and United Laboratories, demonstrated average weight reduction reaching 19.7% following 24 weeks in a mid-stage Chinese clinical study.
- The experimental treatment is classified as a “triple G” therapy, activating GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon hormone receptors simultaneously.
- Safety data revealed predominantly mild to moderate digestive side effects that diminished as treatment continued.
- Results arrive one day following CagriSema’s underperformance against Eli Lilly’s Zepbound in comparative testing.
- The Danish pharmaceutical giant committed up to $2 billion for worldwide development rights to UBT251 this past March.
On Tuesday, Novo Nordisk alongside United Laboratories International announced that UBT251, their investigational obesity therapy, delivered average weight reduction of up to 19.7% in a mid-stage Chinese clinical study.
The clinical study extended across 24 weeks, evaluating various once-weekly injection dosages of UBT251 versus placebo among Chinese participants classified as overweight or obese.
Participants began the trial with an average baseline weight of 92.2 kilograms. Those receiving placebo experienced merely 2.0% reduction across the identical timeframe.
In addition to weight reduction, trial participants demonstrated notable improvements across waist measurements, glucose levels, and blood pressure metrics when compared with placebo recipients.
The investigational compound exhibited favorable safety characteristics with good tolerability. Digestive system reactions were generally mild to moderate in severity and lessened as treatment progressed.
UBT251 has earned the “triple G” designation due to its mechanism targeting three distinct hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. This multi-receptor approach distinguishes it from existing single-receptor GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound.
The GLP-1 receptor activation reduces hunger signals. GIP contributes to appetite suppression and glucose regulation. Glucagon’s role involves maintaining stable blood sugar levels and preventing hypoglycemia.
Comparing UBT251 to Competitor Therapies
These trial findings emerge during a challenging period for Novo Nordisk. Merely 24 hours before this announcement, the pharmaceutical company disclosed that CagriSema produced 23% weight reduction over 84 weeks — yet couldn’t surpass Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, which delivered 25.5% reduction in direct comparison testing.
Shares of Novo Nordisk declined 3.10% following the CagriSema data release.
United Biotechnology, the division overseeing the Chinese research, intends to advance UBT251 into late-stage clinical trials enrolling Chinese patients following these positive findings.
Separately, Novo Nordisk has initiated its own international study of UBT251, evaluating multiple dosing regimens across approximately 330 participants over a maximum 28-week duration. Data from this global study is anticipated in 2027.
The pharmaceutical company additionally plans to launch a mid-stage study focusing on Type 2 diabetes patients before year-end.
The Licensing Agreement
Novo Nordisk obtained worldwide development and commercialization rights for UBT251 during March 2025 via an agreement with United Laboratories valued at up to $2 billion. This arrangement grants Novo exclusive authority to develop, manufacture, and market UBT251 globally, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan — territories retained by United Biotechnology.
This partnership represents one of multiple agreements Novo Nordisk has executed recently to strengthen its development portfolio. The company previously attempted acquiring American biotech startup Metsera, though ultimately lost that competitive acquisition process to Pfizer.
Martin Holst Lange, Chief Scientific Officer at Novo Nordisk, stated the company feels “very encouraged” by the Chinese study outcomes and considers them validation of UBT251’s therapeutic promise.
International clinical trial data for UBT251 is projected to become available in 2027.
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