Obesity Today—January 27, 2026

LucidQuest

4 hours ago

This week’s Obesity update highlights late-stage clinical advancement, major financing activity, competitive market shifts, and strategic efforts to improve long-term treatment durability. The developments reflect accelerating innovation alongside intensifying pricing and access pressures across metabolic disease care.

In this Newsletter

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🔬 Ascletis selects once-monthly triple agonist ASC37 for clinic [1] [20 Jan 2026]

https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ascletis-selects-a-next-generation-once-monthly-subcutaneously-administered-glp-1rgiprgcgr-triple-peptide-agonist-asc37-for-clinical-development-302665199.html
Context: Preclinical package cites higher in-vitro potency vs retatrutide and longer observed NHP half-life with SQ depot formulation.
Key point: Company selected ASC37 for clinical development and expects an FDA IND submission in Q2 2026, with Phase I initiation targeted for H2 2026.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

💰 Corxel raises $287m to advance oral GLP-1RA CX11 [2] [23 Jan 2026]

https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/corxel-raises-287m-as-obesity-continues-to-spark-investor-interest/
Context: CX11 in Phase II (US) and Phase III (China); 16-week data at ADA 2025 reported weight-loss benefit at the highest fast-titration dose.
Key point: Series D1 funding will support ongoing trials, a planned T2D Phase II, and Phase III prep, plus other cardio-metabolic assets.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧠 Nxera creates Metabolic Advisory Council for next-gen programs [3] [20 Jan 2026]

https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/4565/ir_material14/271767/00.pdf
Context: Council includes Prof. Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, Prof. Tricia Tan, and Dr. Mads Tang-Christensen; pipeline announced Aug 2025 spans oral, maintenance, and tolerability goals.
Key point: Council will guide scientific and clinical strategy for obesity and metabolic therapies enabled by NxWave GPCR design.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🏋️ Chugai/Roche aim to curb weight rebound with GYM329 adjunct [4] [26 Jan 2026]

https://asia.nikkei.com/business/pharmaceuticals/next-generation-obesity-drug-from-chugai-and-roche-aims-to-stop-rebounds
Context: Candidate works by suppressing muscle-atrophy pathways to preserve muscle; clinical trials compare against GLP-1 alone.
Key point: Chugai expects to seek approval as early as 2028 for GYM329, intended for use with GLP-1 obesity medicines.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🇮🇳 India clears semaglutide generics, intensifying competition [5] [IN • 24 Jan 2026]

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/indian-drugmakers-get-regulatory-nod-to-sell-generic-wegovy-heating-obesity%E2%80%90drug-race/article70546662.ece
Context: Zydus and Alkem received approval; Sun Pharma announced approvals with planned brands Noveltreat (obesity) and Sematrinity (diabetes).
Key point: Approvals precede semaglutide patent expiry in Mar 2026 and follow recent Indian launches by Novo and Lilly.
Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

Why it matters

Monthly and oral modalities aim to improve adherence and scalability versus weekly injectables.
Adjunct strategies to preserve muscle address rebound weight gain, a critical unmet need.
Large financings sustain rapid trial execution and global expansion of obesity pipelines.
Early generic entry in India may reshape access and price expectations across markets.
Advisory structures can speed de-risking and differentiation in crowded mechanisms.

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FAQ

What is ASC37 and when could it enter the clinic?

ASC37 is a once-monthly GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist. Ascletis plans an FDA IND in Q2 2026 and targets Phase I start in H2 2026, based on preclinical data (endpoint not specified) [1].

Which trials are running for Corxel’s CX11?

CX11 is in a Phase II trial in the US and a Phase III trial in China for obesity and overweight. A Phase II in type 2 diabetes is planned. Prior 16-week data at ADA 2025 showed weight loss at the highest fast-titration dose [2].

Who sits on Nxera’s Metabolic Advisory Council and why?

Prof. Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, Prof. Tricia Tan, and Dr. Mads Tang-Christensen will guide Nxera’s next-gen obesity programs built on its NxWave GPCR platform, focusing on maintenance, tolerability, and broader populations [3].

How does Chugai/Roche’s GYM329 differ from GLP-1s?

GYM329 targets muscle-atrophy pathways to preserve muscle mass, aiming to reduce post-treatment weight rebound when used with GLP-1s. Chugai may seek approval as early as 2028 [4].

What is changing in India around semaglutide?

Indian regulators cleared Zydus, Alkem, and Sun Pharma to sell semaglutide generics for weight loss and diabetes, ahead of a Mar 2026 patent expiry, potentially lowering prices and expanding access [5].

Entities / Keywords

Ascletis; ASC37; GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple agonist; retatrutide; Corxel; CX11; oral GLP-1RA; Nxera Pharma; NxWave; Chugai; Roche; GYM329; GLP-1 adjunct; India; semaglutide; Wegovy; Ozempic; Zydus; Alkem; Sun Pharma; Dr. Reddy’s