This biweekly Obesity video recap highlights key developments across clinical progress, late-stage data readouts, pipeline advancements, and strategic partnerships shaping weight-management innovation. The update covers efficacy signals, portfolio expansion efforts, and financing activity influencing the evolving treatment landscape.
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- Week 20–26 January 2026
- Weeks 27 January – 2 February 2026
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Top Stories Covered in This Video
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:08 Chugai and Roche muscle-sparing adjunct GYM329 to prevent weight regain after GLP-1 discontinuation
0:42 Regeneron positions olatorepatide for weight loss plus 50–60% LDL-C reduction
1:13 Roche CT-388 Phase 2 shows up to 22.5% placebo-adjusted weight loss at 48 weeks
1:44 Korean pharmas repurpose returned assets for obesity and MASH, Hanmi files efpeglenatide
2:27 Ascletis selects once-monthly triple agonist ASC37 with ~17-day depot half-life, IND planned Q2 2026
2:59 AstraZeneca licenses CSPC monthly weight-management portfolio, $1.2b upfront and ex-China rights
3:39 Chugai investor materials outline obesity and metabolism pipeline initiatives
3:58 Corxel raises $287m for oral GLP-1 CX11, funding Phase 2 US and Phase 3 China
4:28 How to reach us
Transcript
Welcome to this episode of Obesity Updates, covering breakthroughs in the past two weeks.. Brought to you by LucidQuest.
Chugai and Roche are pursuing rebound prevention with GYM329, an adjunct designed to preserve muscle by suppressing atrophy-driving proteins. It is positioned to maintain energy expenditure and reduce weight regain after stopping GLP-1 therapy, with approval targeted as early as 2028, although endpoints are not yet specified. Implications include potential impact on prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.
Regeneron highlighted olatorepatide’s potential to pair substantial weight loss with a 50–60% reduction in LDL-cholesterol. The company plans late-stage obesity trials and Praluent combination studies, including populations with and without type 2 diabetes. The LDL-cholesterol claim reflects executive expectations, not clinical readouts, so payer and prescriber impact will depend on results.
Roche reported Phase 2 data for CT-388, a once-weekly dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist. At 48 weeks the highest of five doses achieved up to 22.5% placebo-adjusted weight loss among adherent participants, and 18.3% in the broader analysis set. Phase 3 is expected to start this quarter, which could shift competitive dynamics pending confirmation.
In Korea, several pharmas are repurposing returned assets toward obesity and MASH. Hanmi has filed for Korean approval of efpeglenatide repositioned for obesity. Efinopegdutide for MASH completed global Phase 2 under MSD, with topline expected in the first half of the year, endpoints not yet specified. JW redirected JW1601 to ophthalmology, and Yuhan is preparing YH25724 for trials after return, signaling renewed pipeline momentum.
Ascletis selected ASC37, a once-monthly subcutaneous triple agonist targeting GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR, with a depot half-life of about 17 days in non-human primates. The company plans an FDA IND in the second quarter of 2026, and intends to combine ASC37 with the once-monthly amylin agonist ASC36 for cardiometabolic diseases.
AstraZeneca announced a deal with CSPC for a monthly weight-management portfolio. The company will pay 1.2 billion dollars upfront for eight programs, including SYH2082, a long-acting GLP-1 and GIP agent moving into Phase 1. The agreement includes up to 3.5 billion dollars in milestones, ex-China rights for AstraZeneca, and access to CSPC’s LiquidGel monthly platform, complementing elecoglipron, AZD6234, and AZD9550.
Chugai’s investor materials also reference an obesity and metabolism pipeline, supporting the broader context for GYM329 and related initiatives, although specific endpoints are not detailed. This further underscores expanding modality investment.
Corxel raised 287 million dollars to advance CX11, an oral GLP-1. Funding supports a Phase 2 study in the United States and Phase 3 in China. ADA 2025 data reported 9.7% weight loss at 16 weeks at the highest fast-titration dose. Proceeds also back a type 2 diabetes Phase 2 program and other cardiometabolic assets.
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Why it matters
- Weight-maintenance and muscle preservation are emerging as differentiators beyond raw weight loss.
- Once-monthly injectables and oral GLP-1s target adherence and scalability constraints.
- Dual and triple agonists continue to set efficacy bars and push combo strategies.
- Capital and BD flows remain strong, accelerating late-stage entries and regional diversification.
- Repositioning of returned assets shows efficient reuse of de-risked mechanisms.
🗓️ Explore weekly details and sources
- Week 20–26 January 2026
- Weeks 27 January – 2 February 2026
📚 See the full Obesity archive on our research hub page.
What is GYM329 and how is it intended to be used?
GYM329 is a muscle-preserving biotherapeutic from Chugai/Roche intended as an adjunct to GLP-1s to reduce post-treatment weight regain. Trials track weight and muscle versus GLP-1 alone, with approval targeted as early as 2028 [1, 7].
How does Regeneron plan to differentiate olatorepatide?
By pairing weight loss with LDL-C lowering and studying combinations with Praluent. The 50–60% LDL-C figure is an executive expectation, not a readout. Late-stage obesity studies are planned in 2026 [2].
What did Roche report for CT-388 efficacy?
Placebo-adjusted weight loss up to 22.5% at 48 weeks among adherent participants, and 18.3% in a broader analysis. Phase 3 trials are slated to start this quarter [3].
Which Korean assets are nearing milestones after being returned?
Hanmi filed efpeglenatide for Korea obesity approval. Efinopegdutide under MSD completed Phase 2 with topline expected H1. JW’s JW1601 and Yuhan’s YH25724 are being repositioned, specifics limited [4].
What is in AstraZeneca’s CSPC deal and why is it notable?
AZ pays $1.2b upfront for 8 programs and access to monthly LiquidGel tech, including SYH2082 moving to Phase 1, with ex-China rights. It complements AZ’s existing GLP-1, amylin and dual agonist pipeline [6].
What stage is Corxel’s oral GLP-1 CX11?
Phase 2 in the US and Phase 3 in China for obesity. ADA 2025 showed 9.7% loss at 16 weeks at the top fast-titration dose. New funds back T2D studies and Phase 3 prep [8].
Entities / Keywords
Chugai Pharmaceutical; Roche; GYM329; muscle atrophy inhibitors; GLP-1 adjuncts; Regeneron; olatorepatide; Praluent; LDL-C; Roche CT-388; dual GLP-1/GIP; Hanmi; efpeglenatide; efinopegdutide; MSD; JW Pharmaceutical; Yuhan; Ascletis; ASC37; triple agonist; retatrutide comparator (in vitro); AstraZeneca; CSPC; SYH2082; LiquidGel; elecoglipron; AZD6234; AZD9550; Corxel; CX11; oral GLP-1; ADA 2025.