Hengrui Reports 17.7% Weight Loss in Phase III China Obesity Trial

Hengrui Pharma and Kailera Therapeutics announced positive Phase III trial results for their novel dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist HRS9531, demonstrating an average weight loss of up to 19.2% at the highest dose over 48 weeks in Chinese patients with overweight or obesity. The trial, involving 567 participants, showed that 88% of treated patients achieved at least 5% weight loss, and 44.4% achieved 20% or more, with a safety profile consistent with other GLP-1-based treatments. Hengrui plans to submit a New Drug Application in China, while Kailera will pursue further global trials with higher doses and longer treatment durations. Separately, a real-world study found that weight loss benefits from GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide persist even with intermittent access disruptions, as participants still achieved significant weight loss when combined with lifestyle interventions. The growing adoption of GLP-1 receptor agonists is notable given the rising obesity rates in the U.S. and the limitations of lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery, highlighting these drugs as promising treatment options. Additionally, research using 3D avatar imaging has revealed sex differences in body shape changes and cardiovascular risk improvements after weight loss drug treatment, offering new ways to visualize patient outcomes.