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Study breakdown

New Chinese GLP-1 Drug Bofanglutide Shows Efficacy for Obesity in Phase Trial

evidence
The takeaway

Bofanglutide, a novel GLP-1 RA, demonstrated significant weight loss and metabolic improvements with acceptable safety in Chinese adults with obesity in a clinical trial.

China's own GLP-1

Domestically developed bofanglutide brings GLP-1 therapy access to China's 50+ million obese adults

What the researchers found

Bofanglutide (novel GLP-1 RA): significant weight loss and metabolic improvements with acceptable safety in Chinese adults with obesity.

Why it matters

China has one of the largest obese populations globally. A domestically developed GLP-1 drug provides accessible treatment.

How the study worked

Clinical trial evaluating bofanglutide efficacy and safety in Chinese adults with obesity.

What this study cannot tell us

Clinical trial details in full paper. Chinese population only.

How to read the evidence

Clinical trial in Chinese population.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

Domestic GLP-1 drug development in China could dramatically improve access to effective obesity treatment for the world's most populous nation.

Questions still open

  • How does bofanglutide compare to semaglutide and tirzepatide?
  • Will bofanglutide be significantly cheaper than imported GLP-1 drugs?
  • What is bofanglutide's specific pharmacological profile?

Common questions

What is bofanglutide?
A new GLP-1 drug developed in China that showed effective weight loss and metabolic improvements in Chinese adults with obesity. It adds another option to the growing GLP-1 drug family.
Is it available outside China?
Currently in clinical development. It may become available in China first, potentially offering a more affordable GLP-1 option for the Chinese market.

Read the original research

Efficacy and safety of bofanglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial.

Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 11(1)

Citation

Ji, Linong; Gao, Leili; Tian, Junhang; Dong, Ruihua; Zhang, Zhongtao; Shu, Hongyan; Zhao, Jing; Zhao, Liyuan; He, Anshun; Xie, Tian; Li, Yue; Chen, Wei. (2026). Efficacy and safety of bofanglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b trial.. Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02586-8