Twice-Monthly GLP-1 Injection From China Shows Strong Weight Loss Results In Trials

A new experimental GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Beijing-based Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals has shown promising results in improving blood sugar control and promoting weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes. The investigational drug, bofanglutide, is designed to be administered once every two weeks, potentially reducing the number of annual injections by half compared with currently available once-weekly GLP-1 therapies. The findings come from a Phase 2b randomised clinical trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

GLP-1 receptor agonists have become an important class of medicines for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by mimicking the naturally occurring glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which stimulates insulin release when blood sugar levels rise, suppresses glucagon production, slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. These combined effects help improve blood glucose control while supporting weight loss. Most widely used GLP-1 medications, including Semaglutide, require weekly injections, making a biweekly alternative a potentially more convenient treatment option.

The Phase 2b study enrolled 272 adults with Type 2 diabetes in China and followed them over 24 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either low-, medium- or high-dose bofanglutide every two weeks, a high-dose weekly bofanglutide regimen, or weekly semaglutide. Researchers evaluated changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight and overall safety to determine whether the less frequent dosing schedule could achieve results comparable to or better than existing therapies.

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The trial found that all bofanglutide treatment groups experienced substantial reductions in HbA1c, a key indicator of long-term blood sugar control. Depending on the dosage, HbA1c levels fell by between 1.87 and 2.32 percentage points after 24 weeks, compared with a 1.60 percentage-point reduction in the semaglutide group. Participants receiving bofanglutide also recorded meaningful weight loss and reductions in waist circumference. Researchers reported additional improvements in cholesterol, triglyceride levels and certain markers associated with liver health, suggesting broader metabolic benefits beyond glucose control.

In terms of safety, the study reported no severe episodes of hypoglycaemia or treatment-related deaths. As with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, along with mild injection-site reactions. While these adverse events occurred slightly more frequently among patients receiving bofanglutide than those treated with semaglutide, researchers said they were generally mild to moderate in severity and tended to resolve over time.

The results indicate that bofanglutide could offer an effective and more convenient treatment option for people with Type 2 diabetes by maintaining strong glucose control with fewer injections. However, researchers emphasised that the findings are based on a relatively short Phase 2b trial and that larger, longer-duration Phase 3 studies will be required to confirm the drug's long-term safety and effectiveness before regulatory approval can be considered. If future trials replicate these outcomes, bofanglutide could expand the range of GLP-1 therapies available for diabetes management and weight reduction while potentially improving treatment adherence through its twice-monthly dosing schedule.

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