News release

From: The Lancet

The Lancet: New GLP‑1 pill shows early promise in reducing weight and lowering blood-sugar in adults with and without type 2 diabetesTwo phase 2 clinical trials published in The Lancet find that ecegloglipron (AZD5004), an oral, once-daily small-molecule GLP‑1 receptor agonist, shows blood sugar and weight-loss benefits in adults with and without type 2 diabetes.

Elecoglipron is a once-daily oral medication designed to be taken without food or fluid restrictions, unlike some oral GLP‑1 options that require strict fasting timing. Because elecoglipron is taken by mouth, some patients may find it simpler to use, especially those who struggle with injections. It also remains stable at room temperature, reducing the need for specialised cold storage facilities and potentially increasing global accessibility.

In the SOLSTICE trial, researchers studied adults with type 2 diabetes and found that, after 26 weeks, elecoglipron led to clinically meaningful reductions in blood sugar (HbA1c) and body weight compared to a placebo, with effects varying by dose. In the VISTA trial, researchers studied adults with obesity or overweight but without type 2 diabetes and found that elecoglipron produced dose-dependent, clinically significant weight loss over 26 weeks, with continued improvement through 36 weeks.

Safety results in both studies were generally consistent with similar GLP‑1 medications, with gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea and changes in bowel habits) being the most common. The authors say these findings contribute useful evidence for developing more accessible and practical oral options for diabetes and weight management. Phase 3 trials are underway to confirm longer-term effectiveness and safety.