Obesity Today—February 3, 2026

This weekly update in Obesity and Metabolic Disease highlights major regulatory decisions, late-stage clinical data, strategic licensing activity, manufacturing investments, and asset repurposing efforts shaping the treatment landscape.

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🔁 Korea pharma repurposes returned assets for obesity and MASH [1] [KR • 27 Jan 2026]

https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2026/01/27/ZIF3LMIBHZFITE6YBGDGKJHNBE/
Context: Hanmi refiled efpeglenatide domestically for obesity after Sanofi return; efinopegdutide advanced in MASH with MSD; JW1601 pivots to ophthalmology; Yuhan reactivates YH25724 for MASH.
Key point: Korean drugmakers are redeploying returned candidates into obesity, MASH, and eye diseases, with multiple programs nearing or in clinical stages.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧪 Roche CT-388 dual GLP-1/GIP hits high-teens to 22.5% weight loss in Phase 2 [2] [27 Jan 2026]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/roche-announces-positive-phase-ii-results-dual-glp-1gip-receptor-2026-01-27/
Context: 48-week, once-weekly injectable; highest of five doses assessed; Carmot asset.
Key point: Placebo-adjusted loss was 22.5% per-protocol and 18.3% in all treated, supporting planned Phase 3 initiation.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

💊 US FDA clears first daily oral GLP-1 for weight management [3] [US • 28 Jan 2026]

https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/us-fda-approves-first-daily-oral-glp1-treatment-for-weight-management-showing-comparable-results-to-injectable-therapy-302671957.html
Context: Novo Nordisk once-daily pill, OASIS 4 showed ~16.6% mean loss at ~1 year; one-third >20% loss; CV risk reduction reported in select patients.
Key point: Approval offers injection-free option with efficacy described as comparable to injectables in the release.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🤝 AstraZeneca licenses CSPC monthly GLP-1/GIP and AI peptide platform, $1.2B upfront [4] [30 Jan 2026]

https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2026/astrazeneca-agrees-obesity-and-t2d-deal-with-cspc.html
Context: 8-program deal, initial 4 to Phase I, incl. SYH2082 (long-acting GLP-1R/GIPR) and LiquidGel once-monthly tech; up to $3.5B in milestones.
Key point: AZ gets ex-China rights and optionality to apply monthly platform across internal metabolic assets.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🏭 Lilly to invest $3.5B in Pennsylvania site for next-gen weight-loss injectables [5] [US • 30 Jan 2026]

https://lilly.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-selects-pennsylvania-home-its-newest-injectable-medicine
Context: New Lehigh Valley facility to make injectable medicines and devices, including retatrutide; 850 jobs; construction to begin 2026, operations targeted 2031.
Key point: Expands domestic capacity to meet rising demand for GLP-1s and related combos.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

Why it matters

Oral GLP-1 approval could shift initiation patterns for needle-averse patients [3].
High-teens to 20%+ losses keep dual agonists competitive with incumbents [2].
Monthly platforms aim to boost adherence and manufacturing efficiency [4].
Repurposing returned assets can accelerate regional competition and access [1].
New US capacity may ease supply bottlenecks for incretin therapies [5].

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FAQ

What is Roche’s CT-388 and how did it perform?

CT-388 is a once-weekly dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. In Phase 2, placebo-adjusted weight loss reached 22.5% per-protocol and 18.3% in all treated at 48 weeks, supporting Phase 3 start [2].

Which oral GLP-1 just received US approval for weight management?

Novo Nordisk’s once-daily pill was approved, with OASIS 4 showing ~16.6% mean loss at about one year and one-third of patients >20% loss per the release; cardiovascular risk reduction was also cited for certain groups [3].

What did AstraZeneca license from CSPC?

Eight obesity/T2D programs including SYH2082, plus AI peptide discovery and LiquidGel monthly dosing platform, for $1.2B upfront and up to $3.5B in milestones; ex-China rights for AZ [4].

How are Korean pharmas handling returned assets?

Hanmi advanced efpeglenatide for obesity domestically and efinopegdutide in MASH with MSD; JW pivoted JW1601 to ophthalmology; Yuhan is preparing YH25724 trials for MASH [1].

What will Lilly’s new Pennsylvania site produce and when?

Injectable medicines and devices, including retatrutide, with operations targeted in 2031; $3.5B investment and 850 jobs planned [5].

Entities / Keywords

Roche; CT-388; dual GLP-1/GIP; Eli Lilly; Novo Nordisk; oral GLP-1; OASIS 4; AstraZeneca; CSPC; SYH2082; LiquidGel; Hanmi Pharmaceutical; efpeglenatide; efinopegdutide; MSD; JW Pharmaceutical; JW1601; Yuhan; YH25724; MASH; retatrutide; manufacturing expansion.