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Novo Nordisk, United Biotechnology obesity drug trial shows 19.7% weight loss

Novo Nordisk's triple agonist UBT251, developed with United Biotechnology, led to a remarkable 19.7% average weight loss over 24 weeks in a trial with Chinese participants, far outperforming the 2% loss seen with placebo. The weekly injectable showed promising efficacy and safety for treating overweight and obesity.

Louise Rasmussen/Reuters

February 24, 2026

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The logo of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is displayed in front of its offices in Bagsvaerd, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, November 24, 2025.

Tom Little/Reuters

Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO said on Tuesday its triple agonist UBT251 of the receptors for GLP-1, GIP and glucagon, jointly developed with United Biotechnology, achieved a statistically significant mean weight loss of up to 19.7% after 24 weeks in a trial.

The trial, conducted by United Biotechnology, investigated the safety and efficacy of once weekly injectable 2 milligram (mg), 4 mg and 6 mg doses of UBT251 compared to placebo in Chinese people with overweight or obesity, Novo Nordisk said in a statement.

From a baseline mean body weight of 92.2 kilogrammes, the highest mean weight loss observed for people treated with UBT251 was 19.7% compared to 2.0% in the placebo group after 24 weeks of treatment, Novo said.

-Louise Rasmussen/Reuters