Eli Lilly's Triple Agonist LY3437943 Receives IND Approval in China for Chronic Weight Management in Adults with Obesity or Overweight and Weight-Related Comorbidities

Intelligent Finance APP learned that the official website of the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration showed that the Class 1 new drug LY3437943 injection submitted by Eli Lilly and Company (LLY.US) has obtained multiple implied clinical trial permits in China. The proposed indication for development is: as an adjunct to diet and exercise, for long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight combined with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Public information shows that LY3437943 is a GCGR/GIPR/GLP-1R triagonist, under development for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials overseas. In vitro studies have shown that LY3437943 exhibits equal activity on GCGR and GLP-1R, but higher activity on GIPR. Studies conducted in obese mice demonstrated that administration of LY3437943 reduced body weight and improved blood glucose control. The weight loss was enhanced by increasing GCGR-mediated energy expenditure on top of the GIPR and GLP-1R-driven reduction in calorie intake.

In the field of obesity indications, in addition to LY3437943, which has been approved for clinical trials this time, several other products from Eli Lilly and Company have also made significant progress in 2023. In April this year, Eli Lilly announced positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial of its GIPR/GLP-1R dual agonist tirzepatide, with patients in the subgroup receiving the highest dose of tirzepatide experiencing an average weight loss of 15.7% (approximately 15.6 kilograms). In May this year, Eli Lilly also initiated two Phase 3 studies of the oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist orforglipron for obesity indications.