Ecnoglutide Shows Superior Weight Loss to Semaglutide in Chinese Clinical Trial

A head‑to‑head study (SLIMMER‑UP‑SWITCH) of 163 adults with obesity across 17 Chinese research centres found that weekly injections of ecnoglutide produced a 35% greater mean weight reduction than semaglutide after 20 weeks (‑12.8% vs ‑9.5%). The trial also reported a 20% greater decrease in waist circumference and nearly double the proportion of participants achieving at least 10% weight loss. Researchers highlighted the drug’s cAMP‑biased GLP‑1 receptor agonist mechanism as delivering stronger efficacy while maintaining a favorable gastrointestinal safety profile.

Separately, experts note that response to GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide is highly variable, with genetic differences and metabolic phenotypes influencing individual outcomes. This variability underscores the need for personalized clinical assessment to identify patients who may not benefit from standard GLP‑1 therapy and who might require alternative treatments or further metabolic testing.