Overview
Mazdutide is a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist developed by Innovent Biologics (China), researched primarily for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is an oxyntomodulin analogue-style peptide, engineered to activate both the GLP-1 receptor (for appetite suppression, slowed gastric emptying, and insulin secretion) and the glucagon receptor (associated with increased energy expenditure and hepatic fat metabolism), reflecting a research approach shared with other dual and triple incretin-pathway agonists currently in development globally.
Mazdutide has progressed through an extensive Phase 3 clinical programme in China, where it has been studied in both people with obesity and people with type 2 diabetes, with Innovent Biologics reporting trial results at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications as the programme has advanced. This guide is for educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice.
Clinical & Research Status
| Evidence Type |
Status |
| Human RCT |
✔ |
| Observational |
✗ |
| Animal Studies |
✔ |
| In Vitro |
✔ |
| Regulatory Approval |
Approved in China for weight management indications following Phase 3 data; not approved in EU/Ireland as of most recent published data |
Mechanism of Action
Mazdutide is designed as a dual agonist acting at both the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor. GLP-1 receptor activation contributes to reduced appetite, slowed gastric emptying, and glucose-dependent insulin secretion — the same mechanism underlying approved GLP-1 therapies. Glucagon receptor activation, in contrast, is associated with increased hepatic glycogenolysis and lipolysis, and has been researched for its potential to increase energy expenditure, offering a theoretical advantage over GLP-1-only agents by combining appetite suppression with increased calorie expenditure.
The dual-agonist approach shared by mazdutide and related compounds in this class (such as cotadutide and survodutide, researched by other companies) is based on the biology of oxyntomodulin, an endogenous gut hormone that naturally activates both receptors, though with lower potency and a much shorter half-life than the engineered, long-acting analogues designed for once-weekly research dosing.
Research Areas & Reported Effects
Obesity/Overweight Trials (China)
Phase 3 trials conducted by Innovent Biologics in Chinese populations with obesity reported significant weight loss with mazdutide across studied doses over 24-48 week trial periods, with higher-dose arms reporting weight loss broadly comparable in magnitude to other advanced incretin-based therapies studied in similar trial designs.
Type 2 Diabetes Trials
Mazdutide has also been studied in people with type 2 diabetes, where trials reported reductions in HbA1c alongside weight loss and improvements in some lipid parameters, consistent with the combined GLP-1/glucagon mechanism under investigation.
Metabolic and Liver Fat Research
Given the glucagon receptor's role in hepatic lipid metabolism, a specific area of research interest for mazdutide (shared with other GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists) is its potential effect on liver fat content, with some trial sub-analyses reporting reductions in markers associated with hepatic steatosis alongside the primary weight and glycaemic endpoints.
Research Data Summary
| Study / Model |
Reported Effect |
| Phase 2 Obesity Trial (China, Innovent Biologics) |
Reported dose-dependent weight loss versus placebo over 24 weeks, supporting progression to Phase 3. |
| Phase 3 Obesity Trial (China, published trial data) |
Reported meaningful percentage body weight reduction at higher studied doses over 48 weeks versus placebo, comparable in direction and magnitude to other dual-agonist incretin therapies in the class. |
| Phase 3 Type 2 Diabetes Trial (China) |
Reported HbA1c reduction and weight loss in participants with type 2 diabetes over the trial period, with a tolerability profile broadly consistent with the GLP-1/glucagon dual-agonist class. |
| Preclinical Rodent Dual-Receptor Studies |
Confirmed combined GLP-1/glucagon receptor engagement translating to reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure markers in animal models, supporting the translational rationale for human trials. |
Stack Combinations Studied
- Mazdutide monotherapy → Research rationale: Studied as a standalone dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist across the Phase 2/3 programme; not typically studied in formal combination trials with other incretin-class agents to date.
⚠️ Stack combinations listed for research reference only. Not safety or efficacy guidance.
Research Protocol Reference
experimental research protocols only — not dosing recommendations.
| Protocol |
Dose (experimental model only) |
Duration (experimental model only) |
Frequency (experimental model only) |
Research Context |
| Low-Dose Titration Protocol (as trialled) |
Low starting dose per titration schedule |
4-week titration steps |
Once weekly, subcutaneous |
Dose escalation to minimise gastrointestinal tolerability issues, standard for this drug class. |
| Standard Trial Protocol (as trialled) |
Higher maintenance dose per Phase 3 design |
24-48 weeks |
Once weekly, subcutaneous |
Matches published Phase 3 obesity/T2D trial dosing for weight and glycaemic research. |
Observed Side Effects in Research
- Gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) — most common, consistent with GLP-1/glucagon pathway agents
- Injection site reactions
- Increased heart rate reported in some studies (associated with glucagon receptor activity)
- Reduced appetite (expected pharmacological effect)
Reported tolerability profile across trials was broadly consistent with the known adverse event pattern of GLP-1/glucagon dual-agonist agents as a class; gastrointestinal effects were the most frequently reported reason for dose adjustment or discontinuation in published trial data.
Compound Data
- CAS Number
- 2367183-04-8
- Molecular Formula
- Large modified peptide (oxyntomodulin-analogue class); precise formula proprietary to Innovent Biologics' published patent data
- Molecular Weight
- Approximately 4700-4800 g/mol (estimated, long-acting acylated dual-agonist peptide class)
- Half-Life
- Approximately 5-7 days, supporting once-weekly subcutaneous dosing (fatty-acid modification for albumin binding, similar approach to other long-acting incretin peptides)
- Synonyms
- IBI362, LY3305677 (early co-development code), Mazdutide (INN)
- Research Classification
- Dual GLP-1/Glucagon Receptor Agonist, Oxyntomodulin Analogue
Scientific References
- [Ji L et al. 2023] — Mazdutide for weight management in Chinese adults with obesity: a phase 2 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. — The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology — [Human RCT, Phase 2]
- [Wang L et al. 2024] — Efficacy and safety of mazdutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes: phase 3 trial results. — Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism / conference disclosure — [Human RCT, Phase 3]
- [Innovent Biologics, Phase 3 Obesity Trial Disclosures 2024] — Mazdutide Phase 3 results in Chinese adults with obesity. — Company clinical trial reports / conference presentations (e.g. ADA, EASD) — [Human RCT, Phase 3]
Research base note: Mazdutide's clinical trial programme has been conducted predominantly in Chinese trial populations, with results disclosed via peer-reviewed publication and major diabetes/obesity conference presentations (ADA, EASD) as the Phase 3 programme has matured. Independent, large-scale trial data in European or Irish populations is not yet published as of the most recent available data, and the compound is not approved for use in Ireland or the EU. Readers should treat cross-population efficacy and safety extrapolation with appropriate caution.
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