This Obesity roundup highlights major clinical milestones, regulatory filings, market shifts, and commercialization moves shaping the fast-evolving obesity and metabolic therapeutics landscape

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🧪 Structure starts Ph1 oral amylin ACCG-2671 [1] [17 Dec 2025]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/17/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/structure-therapeutics-announces-initiation-of-phase-1-clinical-study-of-oral-small-molecule-amylin-receptor-agonist-accg-2671-for-the-treatment-of-obesity/2245329

Context: First-in-human, SAD/MAD in healthy volunteers and individuals with obesity.

Key point: Structure Therapeutics initiated Phase 1 for oral amylin agonist ACCG-2671.

Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

💉 Huons gets MFDS go-ahead for Saxenda-equivalent HUC2-676 Ph1 [2] [17 Dec 2025]

https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30003

Context: Domestic Phase 1 in healthy adults; equivalence vs liraglutide targeted.

Key point: MFDS cleared Huons’ IND for GLP-1RA HUC2-676.

Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and access.

📄 Mazdutide Ph3 T2D results published in Nature [3] [17 Dec 2025]

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nature–two-phase-3-clinical-results-of-mazdutide-glp-1gcg-dual-receptor-agonist-in-chinese-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-have-been-back-to-back-published-in-nature-302644606.html

Context: DREAMS-1 and DREAMS-2 trials in Chinese adults with T2D.

Key point: Superior HbA1c and weight reduction vs placebo/dulaglutide.

Implication: May influence guideline inclusion and payer reviews.

🧵 Daewoong’s Envlo shows IR marker gains vs Farxiga [4] [18 Dec 2025]

https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30031

Context: 24-week Phase 3 in adults on metformin.

Key point: Enavogliflozin improved HOMA-IR and fasting C-peptide vs dapagliflozin.

Implication: May influence prescriber choice.

🧪 CagriSema US NDA filed [5] [US • 18 Dec 2025]

https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=916470

Context: Based on REDEFINE Ph3 trials.

Key point: First weekly GLP-1 plus amylin combo submitted to FDA.

Implication: Could shift chronic weight-management standards.

💊 Oral obesity pills race snapshot [6] [23 Dec 2025]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/factbox-top-pharma-companies-work-launch-first-weight-loss-pill-2025-08-07/

Context: Overview of oral GLP-1 programs.

Key point: FDA approved oral semaglutide; multiple competitors rising.

Implication: Greater competition expected.

📢 FDA approves oral Wegovy [7] [23 Dec 2025]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce86le5dyxyo

Context: Comparable weight-loss efficacy to injectable.

Key point: Oral semaglutide approved for obesity/overweight adults.

Implication: Could expand access and adherence.

🧷 Hanmi files in Korea for efpeglenatide [8] [18 Dec 2025]

https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30026

Context: Fast-track; interim Ph3 cited.

Key point: Korean submission for efpeglenatide in obesity.

Implication: Adds regional competition.

🖥️ FastMed launches online GLP-1 program [9] [20 Dec 2025]

https://asianews.network/fastmed-launches-online-weight-management-program-with-authentic-glp-1-medication/

Context: Telehealth-based access.

Key point: Digital prescribing and logistics for GLP-1.

Implication: May streamline initiation and monitoring.

🇳🇱 Biocon launches liraglutide in Netherlands [10] [16 Dec 2025]

https://www.precedenceresearch.com/news/biocon-europe-diabetes-obesity-drug-launch

Context: Two-brand strategy.

Key point: Targeting obesity (Vobexoryn) and T2D (Diavorin).

Implication: Expands competition in EU.

💸 Novo & Lilly cut prices in China [11] [31 Dec 2025]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-cuts-wegovy-prices-some-chinese-provinces-local-media-reports-2025-12-29/

Context: Reports of large price cuts.

Key point: Wegovy and Mounjaro discounted regionally.

Implication: May shift market dynamics.

⚖️ China upholds semaglutide patent [12] [04 Jan 2026]

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/china-delivers-win-novo-nordisk-semaglutide-ip

Context: Covers Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy.

Key point: Patent protection validated by Supreme Court.

Implication: Strengthens originator position.

🤝 Lupin to market Bofanglutide in India [13] [29 Dec 2025]

https://www.lupin.com/lupin-signs-exclusive-licensing-agreement-with-gan-lee-pharmaceuticals-for-novel-glp-1-receptor-agonist/

Context: Exclusive India licensing.

Key point: Fortnightly GLP-1 RA in development.

Implication: Partnership signals expansion.

🔬 MEDI&GENE partners with Lilly [14] [19 Dec 2025]

https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/26/27018/korean-startup-medigene-partners-with-lilly-to-advance-next-generation-obesity-therapeutics.html

Context: Lilly ExploR&D Catalyze360 collaboration.

Key point: Advancing next-gen obesity therapeutic.

Implication: Signals R&D investment.

Why it matters

  • Oral and combo mechanisms expand beyond weekly GLP-1 injections.
  • China pricing & IP shifts will shape competitive dynamics.
  • Regional launches in Korea, India, EU accelerate global adoption.
  • Telehealth models may scale GLP-1 access.
  • Dual-agonist evidence may speed guideline adoption.

FAQ

What is CagriSema and where is it filed?

CagriSema combines cagrilintide with semaglutide in a once-weekly injection; US NDA filed based on REDEFINE Ph3 trials [5].

Did the FDA approve an oral GLP-1 for obesity?

Yes — oral semaglutide for weight loss was approved in the US with launch expected early Jan 2026 [7].

How strong is mazdutide’s T2D evidence?

Two Phase 3 T2D studies published in Nature showed superiority vs placebo or dulaglutide [3].

What happened to semaglutide IP in China?

China’s Supreme Court upheld Novo’s semaglutide compound patent [12].

Are GLP-1 prices changing in China?

Reports indicate price cuts for Wegovy and Mounjaro in select provinces [11].

Which companies made notable moves in Asia?

Hanmi filed for efpeglenatide [8], Huons began Ph1 [2], and MEDI&GENE partnered with Lilly [14].

Entities / Keywords

GLP-1; amylin; dual agonist; semaglutide; cagrilintide; mazdutide; enavogliflozin; liraglutide; Bofanglutide; CagriSema; Wegovy pill; pricing China; IP China; telehealth GLP-1.

References

  1. https://www.manilatimes.net/…/2245329
  2. https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30003
  3. https://www.prnewswire.com/…4606.html
  4. https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30031
  5. https://www.novonordisk.com/…916470
  6. https://www.reuters.com/…08-07/
  7. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce86le5dyxyo
  8. https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30026
  9. https://asianews.network/…medication/
  10. https://www.precedenceresearch.com/…drug-launch
  11. https://www.reuters.com/…12-29/
  12. https://pharmaphorum.com/…semaglutide-ip
  13. https://www.lupin.com/…receptor-agonist/
  14. https://www.biospectrumasia.com/…obesity-therapeutics.html

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