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GZR18 showed weight loss in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity in a phase 1b/2a trial.

GZR18 showed weight loss in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity in a phase 1b/2a trial.
Photo by Cht Gsml / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Note that GZR18 reduced weight in a small early-phase trial of Chinese adults with overweight or obesity.

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.

Study Details

Study typeRct
EvidenceLevel 2
Follow-up6.0 mo
PublishedApr 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
GZR18 is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist under development for overweight/obesity. In this randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1b/2a trial in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, different dose titration regimens and dosing frequencies (once-weekly [QW] vs. bi-weekly [Q2W]) are evaluated to assess safety and weight-loss efficacy over 26 weeks (Part A) or 35 weeks (Part B). Sixty participants are enrolled, of whom 46 complete the trial. The least-squares mean change in body weight is -9.36% for GZR18 vs. 6.68% for placebo in Part A and -17.8% (QW) and -12.8% (Q2W) for GZR18 vs. 0.7% for placebo in Part B; GZR18 also improves other weight-related and metabolic parameters. GZR18 is generally safe and well tolerated, with mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal adverse events and no investigational-product-related serious adverse events reported. These findings warrant larger and longer trials of GZR18 for body weight management. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06256536).
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