Media release

From: The Lancet

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Ecnoglutide shows promise as a new treatment option for type 2 diabetes, clinical trial confirms

Ecnoglutide, a novel once-weekly injection for type 2 diabetes management, works as well as dulaglutide (a commonly prescribed once-a-week injection to manage diabetes) in lowering blood sugar levels, confirms a phase 3 randomised controlled trial published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal. The study also found that ecnoglutide may help patients lose more weight than dulaglutide.

Ecnoglutide and dulaglutide are both medications that can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels by acting on the same receptor in the body, known as the GLP-1 receptor. Ecnoglutide targets specific pathways in the body that enhance insulin production and lower blood sugar, while avoiding another pathway that can sometimes reduce the receptor’s activity. Dulaglutide, on the other hand, turns on both pathways more evenly. This still helps control blood sugar but may lead to the receptor being less responsive over time. The authors say ecnoglutide could be more efficient and effective at lowering blood sugar and promoting weight loss.

In this 52-week study of over 600 adults in China with type 2 diabetes, participants who received ecnoglutide saw their average blood sugar drop by about 1·9%, compared to a 1·65% drop in participants who received dulaglutide. People taking ecnoglutide also lost nearly twice as much weight as those on dulaglutide, experiencing an average body weight reduction of 5·2–5·7% compared to an average weight loss of 2·8% for those taking dulaglutide. Study authors say the additional weight loss seen in those taking ecnoglutide can further help diabetes management and reduce risks of heart disease.

Ecnoglutide was generally well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being mild stomach issues, such as nausea and diarrhoea, which typically eased over time. The study also highlights that ecnoglutide is simpler to produce than other GLP-1 receptor agonists, potentially meaning it can be manufactured more quickly and at a lower cost than other weight loss medications currently available.

The authors say these results add to the growing body of evidence that suggests ecnoglutide could be a valuable new treatment option for people with type 2 diabetes, offering effective blood sugar control and weight loss. Further studies are needed to explore its efficacy across diverse populations and in combination with other antidiabetic agents.