Obesity Video Recap—March 3, 2026

LucidQuest

10 minutes ago

This biweekly Obesity video recap highlights late-stage combination data, notable mid-stage weight-loss results, regulatory progress in rare obesity, and strategic delivery and commercialisation partnerships across key global markets.

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Week 18–24 February 2026
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Transcript

Welcome to the latest edition of Obesity Updates, covering breakthroughs in the past two weeks. Brought to you by LucidQuest.

Eli Lilly reported positive results from the open-label Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial evaluating Taltz together with Zepbound in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity. At 36 weeks, the combination met the primary and all key secondary endpoints, including a composite of PASI 100 and at least 10 percent weight loss, compared with Taltz alone. The findings may influence prescriber decision-making and payer evaluations pending full data disclosure.

A South Korean report discussed Lilly’s internal prioritisation of its oral obesity candidate orforglipron and suggested that an evaluation agreement with Peptron for its SmartDepot long-acting delivery platform may face timeline uncertainty. The article cited focus on inventory build and prelaunch preparation for orforglipron as factors potentially affecting near-term technology transfer considerations.

Novo Nordisk-partnered UBT251, a GLP-1, GIP and glucagon triple agonist developed with United Laboratories, reported 19.7 percent weight loss at 24 weeks in the highest-dose arm of a China Phase II trial, compared with 2.0 percent on placebo. The study evaluated 2 milligram, 4 milligram and 6 milligram doses. Secondary endpoints improved, and most adverse events were described as mild to moderate gastrointestinal events.

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals reported additional 52-week data from the Phase 3 TRANSCEND study of setmelanotide in acquired hypothalamic obesity, including results from a Japanese cohort and supplemental patients beyond the pivotal cohort. The company highlighted placebo-adjusted body mass index reduction differences and improvements in hunger scores, and stated that its supplemental NDA is under FDA review with a PDUFA goal date of 20 March 2026, while also referencing an EMA Type II variation pathway.

Bloom Science announced that the first patient has been dosed in its randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b trial of BL-001, an investigational oral live biotherapeutic product for obesity. The study plans daily oral dosing for 12 weeks in up to 48 participants across two sites in Australia, positioning the program as an oral approach intended to replicate certain metabolic effects associated with ketogenic biology, according to the company.

A Forbes report described a collaboration between Pfizer China and Sciwind related to the commercialisation of ecnoglutide injection in China for weight management and diabetes. The article reported potential deal value of up to 495 million dollars, with payments and milestones outlined, although specific trial endpoints were not detailed in the piece.

Novo Nordisk and Vivtex announced a partnership focused on next-generation oral delivery technologies for biologic medicines in obesity and diabetes. The agreement includes licensing of select delivery technologies, with Vivtex eligible for up to 2.1 billion dollars in consideration plus tiered royalties. Specific product candidates were not disclosed in the announcement.

Daewoong Pharmaceutical signed a global exclusive licence agreement with its affiliate Daewoong Therapeutics for microneedle-based products targeting obesity and metabolic diseases. According to the article, the company is developing a microneedle patch formulation of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide, with a semaglutide patch reported to be in Phase 1, positioning weekly application as a potential alternative to injections.

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Why it matters

Metabolic therapies are increasingly being tested as add-ons that may improve outcomes in adjacent chronic diseases (psoriasis plus obesity in TOGETHER-PsO) [1].
China-centric partnering and commercialisation continues to accelerate, spanning triple agonists (UBT251) and local GLP-1 class programs (ecnoglutide) [3], [6].
Rare obesity (acquired hypothalamic obesity) remains an active regulatory focus, with setmelanotide positioned as a potential first approved option for the indication (per company) [4].
Oral delivery, whether small-molecule (orforglipron, per report) or oral biologics platforms (Vivtex), remains a strategic priority across incumbents [2], [7].

🗓️ Explore weekly details and sources

Week 18–24 February 2026
Weeks 24 February–2 March 2026

📚 See the full Obesity archive on our research hub page.

FAQ

What did Eli Lilly report in TOGETHER-PsO for Taltz plus Zepbound?

Lilly reported positive topline Phase 3b results versus Taltz alone in psoriasis with obesity/overweight, meeting the primary and key secondary endpoints, including a PASI 100 plus ≥10% weight-loss composite (36 weeks) [1].

What is UBT251, and what did the China Phase II show?

UBT251 is a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist co-developed with United Laboratories, and the report cites 19.7% weight loss at 24 weeks in the highest-dose arm vs 2.0% on placebo [3].

What is the regulatory timeline Rhythm cited for setmelanotide in acquired hypothalamic obesity?

Rhythm stated its sNDA is under FDA review with a PDUFA goal date of 20 Mar 2026, and it also referenced an EMA Type II variation review pathway (timing described in the release) [4].

What is Bloom Science’s BL-001, and what is being tested now?

BL-001 is described as an investigational oral live biotherapeutic product, with a Phase 1b randomised, placebo-controlled trial dosing daily for 12 weeks in adults with obesity at two Australia sites (up to 48 participants) [5].

What did Novo Nordisk and Vivtex announce, and does it name specific drug candidates?

They announced a partnership for oral delivery technologies for biologic medicines in obesity and diabetes, with financial terms disclosed, but no specific product candidates named in the release [7].

What did Daewoong say about its microneedle obesity plans?

Daewoong licensed microneedle technology globally from its affiliate, and the article reports a semaglutide microneedle patch is in Phase 1, positioning weekly patches as an alternative to injections (per company statements) [8].

Entities / Keywords

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY): Taltz (ixekizumab, IL-17A mAb), Zepbound (tirzepatide, dual GIP/GLP-1), orforglipron (oral obesity drug candidate, per report) [1], [2]

Peptron: SmartDepot (long-acting delivery platform) [2]

Novo Nordisk: UBT251 partnership, oral delivery partnerships, obesity and diabetes R&D [3], [7]

United Laboratories, United Bio-Technology: UBT251, triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon), “triple G” [3]

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals: setmelanotide, TRANSCEND, acquired hypothalamic obesity (HO) [4]

Bloom Science: BL-001, oral live biotherapeutic product (LBP), ketogenic biology framing [5]

Pfizer China, Hangzhou Sciwind Biosciences: ecnoglutide commercialisation partnership (report) [6]

Vivtex Corporation: oral biologics delivery, GI screening and formulation platform [7]

Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Daewoong Therapeutics: microneedle patch, semaglutide patch Phase 1 (reported) [8]