Domestic GLP-1 Weight-Loss Therapies Gain Momentum as Hansoh Pharma and Hengrui Pharma Achieve Clinical Breakthroughs

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry Dynamics】Currently, obesity has become one of the severe global challenges of chronic diseases. Statistics show that more than 650 million adults worldwide are affected by obesity. As a core risk factor for various chronic illnesses, obesity significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even certain types of cancer, posing profound challenges to public health with a vast pharmaceutical market. It is reported that in the field of weight-loss drugs, GLP-1 drugs have become a popular focus, with a group of pharmaceutical companies in China actively seizing this opportunity and gradually reaping rewards.
 

On March 7, 2026, Hansoh Pharma announced that its self-developed GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist, Olebpotide (HS-20094), had achieved the primary endpoint in a Phase III registration study conducted in Chinese adults who are overweight or obese. This product is a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist designed to regulate metabolic pathways associated with appetite control, glucose metabolism, and energy balance.
 

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted across 33 clinical centers in China, enrolling a total of 604 adult subjects to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-weekly Oleylpeptide compared to placebo over 48 weeks of treatment. The study showed that at 48 weeks of treatment, the reduction in body weight from baseline in the Oleylpeptide group was statistically significantly different compared to the placebo group, with a significantly higher proportion of subjects in the Oleylpeptide group achieving a 5% reduction in body weight. After 48 weeks of Oleylpeptide treatment, the average reduction in body weight from baseline was up to 19.3%, with 97.2% of subjects achieving a ≥5% reduction in body weight. Additionally, Oleylpeptide demonstrated significant advantages in gastrointestinal tolerability.
 

In addition to Hansoh Pharma, a number of GLP-1-based new drugs produced in China are accelerating their clinical progress. For instance, on February 10, Hengrui Pharma and U.S.-based Kailera Therapeutics (Kailera) jointly announced that the Phase II clinical trial (NCT06841445) of the once-daily oral Rhipopetide Tablets (also known as HRS9531 Tablets, KAI-9531-T), a GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist, conducted among 166 obese adults in China, achieved positive topline data.
 

Analysis of the estimand based on the hypothetical strategy showed that, at Week 26 of treatment with Rempobotide tablets, participants experienced an average weight loss of up to 12.1% from baseline, with no plateau observed, while the incidence of vomiting did not exceed 11.4%. Hengrui Pharma plans to advance the Phase III clinical trial for obesity treatment with Rempobotide tablets in China, and Kailera intends to initiate a global Phase II clinical trial in 2026. Additionally, a subcutaneous injection therapy for Rempobotide is also under development.
 

Notably, several GLP-1 class new drugs produced in China have been approved for marketing. For instance, Hangzhou Sciwind Biosciences recently announced that the first cAMP-biased GLP-1 receptor agonist, Ecnoglutide Injection, has been approved for marketing by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). It is suitable for long-term weight management in adult patients who are overweight or obese, in addition to diet control and increased physical activity.
 

And I-Mab's Masitide is an approved GCG/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist, which suppresses appetite by activating the GLP-1 receptor and promotes fat breakdown by activating the GCG receptor. It is reported that I-Mab's Masitide has also started to expand its indications to include adolescent obesity. In December 2025, I-Mab announced that the Phase Ib clinical study of Masitide in Chinese adolescents with obesity had reached its primary endpoint. I-Mab stated that, based on the positive safety and efficacy results from this Phase Ib study, it plans to initiate a registrational Phase III clinical study in adolescents who are obese or overweight in the near future.
 

From clinical advancement to market launch, the multi-point breakthroughs of China-produced GLP-1 drugs demonstrate the independent innovation strength of China’s biopharmaceutical industry. As more domestically developed new drugs are implemented and applied in clinical settings, they are expected to benefit more obese patients. In the future, with pharmaceutical companies continuously increasing R&D investment, focusing on dosage form innovation and indication expansion, China-produced GLP-1 drugs will play a more significant role in global obesity prevention and control.
 

Disclaimer: In no event shall the information or opinions expressed in this article constitute investment advice to any person.