GLP-1 Race Intensifies: Global Pharma Achieves Breakthroughs in June with Focus on Oral Formulations, Tolerability, and Multi-target Therapies

　　【Pharmaceutical Network | Industry Dynamics] Since June 2026, the global GLP-1 sector has witnessed several major breakthroughs. Overall, the focus of corporate competition has shifted from "single-metric weight loss magnitude" to a multi-dimensional upgrade encompassing "oral convenience, dosing frequency, and tolerability."
 

Hansoh Pharma’s Innovative Drug Orforglipron Injection Marketing Authorization Application Accepted by China’s National Medical Products Administration for Long-Term Weight Management in Adults with Obesity or Overweight
 

Olepatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) dual receptor agonist independently developed by Hansoh Pharma. Reportedly, this drug demonstrates better tolerability compared to products such as semaglutide, with an incidence of nausea of less than 10%, significantly lower than the 32.4% observed with tirzepatide.
 

On June 8, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited announced that its independently developed long-acting injectable semaglutide (SYH9017), a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been approved by the U.S. FDA to conduct clinical trials in the United States. The approved indication is for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
 

Public information indicates that the product was approved for clinical trials in China in December 2024 and is currently in the early-stage clinical and subsequent confirmatory study phases. Early data suggest that its weight-loss efficacy is comparable to that of the originator’s weekly formulation, with a favorable safety profile. The recent approval of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marks the initiation of CSPC’s global synchronous development pathway through simultaneous regulatory submissions in China and the United States.
 

In June, data on several blockbuster GLP-1 products were prominently disclosed at the ADA Annual Meeting. Among them, Novo Nordisk presented Phase II results for zenagamtide. This dual GLP-1/amylin receptor agonist achieved a 14.6% weight reduction at the highest dose over 36 weeks, with HbA1c levels decreasing by 1.71 percentage points; the company plans to initiate Phase III trials in the second half of the year. Data from the ZUPREME-1 study of petrelintide, an amylin analog developed collaboratively by Roche and Zealand Pharma, showed that once-weekly subcutaneous injections of petrelintide over 42 weeks resulted in a mean body weight reduction of 10.7% from baseline, compared to 1.7% in the placebo group.
 

Lilly has positioned orforglipron as a core asset in its pipeline of oral small-molecule GLP-1 therapies. At the ADA Annual Meeting, the company fully disclosed data from three Phase III trials in the ACHIEVE series. In head-to-head comparisons with oral semaglutide, the 36 mg group demonstrated a greater reduction in HbA1c (1.9% vs. 1.5%) and body weight (8.2% vs. 5.3%).
 

AstraZeneca presented two Phase IIb studies of its investigational oral small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Elecoglipron, at the ADA conference. The 75 mg group achieved an 11.8% weight reduction over 36 weeks, and 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes reached HbA1c <7%. The drug is stable at room temperature and does not require cold-chain storage, making it highly valuable for promotion in primary care settings. Currently, the project has officially launched large-scale global Phase III clinical trials.
 

In addition, Hengrui Medicine announced three latest clinical research findings on its self-developed GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist, Repetide (development code: HRS9531), in both oral tablet and injectable forms, demonstrating its potential in weight loss and related metabolic benefits.
 

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Industry experts believe that the intensive breakthroughs by pharmaceutical companies in the GLP-1 sector since June are the result of the resonance of three forces: the approach to the efficacy ceiling, patient compliance becoming a key variable, and the flourishing of multi-target/new mechanisms. In the future, against this backdrop, the focus of competition in this market is expected to accelerate its shift towards dimensions such as safety, compliance, and medication convenience.
 

　　Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall the information contained herein or the opinions expressed constitute investment advice to any person.