Sino-US biotech Sciwind Biosciences Co., Ltd has positioned itself as a frontrunner in China’s race to market anti-obesity drugs. The company made a significant impact at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) conference with three poster presentations, including a late-breaking presentation, highlighting its glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, ecnoglutide (XW003).
Ecnoglutide: An Innovative GLP-1 Peptide Analogue
Ecnoglutide is an innovative long-acting GLP-1 peptide analogue designed to offer improved biological activity, cost-effective manufacturing, and once-weekly dosing. It is under development to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, and potentially non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Phase II Study Results for Obesity Treatment
The late-breaking presentation at the ADA conference focused on a Phase II study for ecnoglutide as a treatment for obesity conducted in Australia and New Zealand. After six months of treatment, participants receiving weekly doses of 1.2mg, 1.8mg, or 2.4mg of ecnoglutide achieved a body weight reduction from baseline of -11.5%, -11.2%, and -14.7%, respectively, compared to -8.8% for those receiving 3.0 mg liraglutide daily injections (P<0.001 for the 2.4 mg dose group). The study also reported no concerning safety signals when compared with other GLP-1 analogs.
Comparative Efficacy and Phase III Trials
In comparison, the pivotal trial of Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly weight loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) resulted in a similar weight loss of -14.9% in patients but over a 68-week period. Sciwind notes that it initiated Phase III trials for ecnoglutide in China for obesity earlier this year, evaluating once-weekly dosing of up to 2.4 mg ecnoglutide in adults with overweight or obesity, and dosing of up to 1.2 mg in type 2 diabetes patients. These studies have completed enrollment, with topline results expected in 2024.-Fineline Info & Tech
