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With a first-in-class approval in China, Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 development engine has delivered yet again on the obesity front—although local biopharma outfit Innovent Biologics will be the one to reap the rewards in the near term.
In a breakthrough for incretin medicines, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Innovent’s dual GLP-1/glucagon (GCP) receptor agonist mazdutide for chronic weight management in Chinese adults who are overweight or have obesity.
Crucially, patients must also have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as high blood sugar or blood pressure, according to a statement from the country’s drug regulator.
The green light earns mazdutide the distinction of being the world’s first dual GCG/GLP-1 med, Innovent said in a June 27 press release. Innovent paid an undisclosed sum to secure the Chinese rights to mazdutide from Lilly in 2019, while Lilly continues to hold the rights to the metabolic drug outside of China, where it has yet to win approval.
Mazdutide, as a new entrant in the booming GLP-1 scene for obesity, recently ranked among Fierce Pharma’s top 10 most anticipated drug launches of 2025. That report leveraged data on prospective launches from intelligence and analytics firm Evaluate, which has estimated that the drug could reach $1.3 billion in 2030 sales.
By targeting the GCG receptor, Lilly and Innovent figure mazdutide should help increase the body’s energy expenditure, spurring changes in the liver, brain and white and brown adipose tissue that complement the reduced energy intake triggered by GLP-1 activation.
Mazdutide is the world's first dual GCG/GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight loss. It is engineered to enhance weight-loss efficacy, reduce visceral fat, and deliver comprehensive metabolic benefits.
Mazdutide was developed through a partnership between Eli Lilly and Innovent Biologics. Innovent secured the Chinese rights in 2019, while Eli Lilly continues to hold development and commercialization rights outside of China.
It is indicated for Chinese adults who are overweight or have obesity, provided they have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as high blood sugar or hypertension.
By targeting both the glucagon (GCG) and GLP-1 receptors, Mazdutide increases overall energy expenditure across the liver, brain, and adipose tissues while simultaneously curbing energy intake via appetite regulation.
In the 48-week phase 3 GLORY-1 clinical study involving over 600 Chinese adults, patients receiving Mazdutide 4 mg and 6 mg demonstrated significant average weight reductions of 12% and 14.8% relative to baseline, compared to 0.5% in the placebo cohort.
Mazdutide was recognized by Fierce Pharma as one of the top ten most anticipated drug launches worldwide for 2025. Projections from Evaluate indicate annual sales could reach $1.3 billion by 2030.
