Obesity Pill Shows Promising Weight Loss in China Study

In a mid-stage study conducted in China, an experimental oral obesity drug, ribupatide, demonstrated significant weight loss results. Developed by U.S.-based Kailera Therapeutics and its partner Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, the once-daily pill helped patients lose up to 12.1% of their body weight over 26 weeks. This drug is part of the GLP-1 class, which includes well-known treatments for weight management, though ribupatide employs a distinct approach.

The 166-participant study indicated that doses of 25-mg and 50-mg resulted in a mean weight loss of 12.1%, compared to a 6.9% loss for the 10-mg dose against a placebo. The companies reported that common side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, were generally mild to moderate. Crucially, no participants ceased treatment or required a dose reduction due to adverse events.

Hengrui plans to advance oral ribupatide into a late-stage obesity trial within China. Concurrently, Kailera Therapeutics is preparing to initiate a global mid-stage trial for the drug this year. The companies are also developing a once-weekly injectable version of ribupatide, which has previously shown an average weight loss of 23.6% in an earlier Chinese study. Kailera Therapeutics was established in October 2024 with substantial early-stage funding from Hengrui, focusing on obesity drug candidates licensed from the Chinese firm.