GZR18 showed weight loss in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity in a phase 1b/2a trial.
This randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1b/2a trial enrolled 60 Chinese adults with overweight or obesity. Participants were randomized to receive GZR18 at once-weekly or bi-weekly dosing or placebo. The study included two parts with follow-up of 26 weeks in Part A and 35 weeks in Part B.
Regarding weight-loss efficacy, the least-squares mean change in body weight in Part A was -9.36% for GZR18 versus 6.68% for placebo. In Part B, weight loss was -17.8% for once-weekly GZR18 and -12.8% for bi-weekly GZR18, compared to 0.7% for placebo.
Safety analysis indicated that adverse events were mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events. No investigational-product-related serious adverse events were reported, and the drug was generally safe and well tolerated. Discontinuations were not reported.
The study authors note that larger and longer trials are warranted. Given the early phase of this trial and the need for further validation, these results should be interpreted with caution regarding routine clinical application.