AstraZeneca, Structure Post 12% Weight-Loss Results for Oral GLP-1 Pills
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 26
AstraZeneca, Structure Post 12% Weight-Loss Results for Oral GLP-1 Pills
1 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 26
Summary
Phase II data published this month showed once-daily oral GLP-1 candidates elecoglipron and aleniglipron cut body weight by up to 11.8% and 12.1%, respectively, over 36 weeks.
Those results matter because GLP-1 obesity drugs are still largely weekly injections, while pill versions have historically struggled to survive stomach acid and reach the bloodstream effectively.
AstraZeneca’s elecoglipron results came from two randomized, placebo-controlled trials in The Lancet, while Structure’s aleniglipron data appeared in Nature Medicine with no new safety signals reported.
Both companies are moving into Phase III testing, aiming to join a growing oral market that already includes approved oral Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s small-molecule Foundayo.
The broader race now includes Roche, Ascletis and Viking, though any new pill will enter a crowded obesity-drug market where injectables can still deliver stronger efficacy, including Lilly’s retatrutide at up to 30% weight loss.
Can smaller biotechs with novel oral drugs truly disrupt the weight loss empires of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly?
As new weight loss pills flood the market, will cost or effectiveness decide the ultimate winner?
With millions set to take daily weight loss pills, what are the unforeseen long-term health consequences?
AstraZeneca’s Elecoglipron Delivers 11.8% Weight Loss and 1.9% HbA1c Drop: Phase 2 Results Set New Benchmark for Oral GLP-1s
Overview
AstraZeneca's Elecoglipron has shown strong results in Phase 2b trials for both obesity and type 2 diabetes, with patients in the VISTA trial losing up to 11.8% of their body weight by 36 weeks. Analysts noted that Elecoglipron’s efficacy is higher than other key oral small-molecule GLP-1 agents, making it a significant contender in this competitive field. The drug also demonstrated a manageable safety profile, mainly causing mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects. These promising outcomes suggest Elecoglipron could become an important new oral treatment option for people struggling with obesity and diabetes.