The Massachusetts-based biotech company Kailera and its Chinese partner, Hengrui, have reported top-line findings from a phase 2 trial evaluating an oral formulation of ribupatide. The results suggest the pill version could deliver a potentially transformative clinical profile, according to Kailera Chief Medical Officer Scott Wasserman.
In October of 2025, Kailera Therapeutics announced a huge $600 million Series B financing round to advance a phase 3 study of its injectable, dual-agonist obesity therapy, ribupatide.
The phase 2 study enrolled 166 participants in China and showed an average weight reduction of just over 12% at 26 weeks. The companies noted that this efficacy analysis was based on patients who followed the study protocol and excluded data recorded after early treatment discontinuation or the use of other weight-loss medications.
Under this analysis approach, patients receiving a 10 mg daily dose of oral ribupatide recorded an average weight reduction of just under 7%. Participants taking 25 mg or 50 mg doses each saw an average weight loss of 12.1%. Researchers reported no evidence that weight reduction had leveled off during the study period. By comparison, the placebo group experienced an average weight loss of 2.3%.
Although direct comparisons across separate clinical trials are inherently limited, the average weight loss reported in the study supporting the recent approval of Novo Nordisk’s oral GLP-1 therapy was 16.6%. In addition, Eli Lilly’s orforglipron demonstrated a 12.4% average weight reduction in its trial, and the company anticipates regulatory approval in the second quarter of this year. Notably, those studies were conducted over 64 and 72 weeks, respectively, whereas Hengrui’s trial ran for 26 weeks.
With respect to tolerability, vomiting occurred in 2.4% of patients receiving the 10 mg dose of ribupatide, rose to 11.4% at the 25 mg dose, and was reported in 7.5% of those taking 50 mg. Reports of nausea followed a similar pattern, affecting nearly 12% of participants in the 10 mg group, 22.7% in the 25 mg cohort and one in five patients on the highest dose.
For comparison, vomiting was reported by 31% of participants in Novo Nordisk’s oral GLP-1 study. In Eli Lilly’s orforglipron trial, vomiting rates ranged from 14% to 32%, depending on the dose tested.
Wasserman commented that the phase 2 data from Hengrui represent a significant step forward in broadening the ribupatide portfolio. He added that the company believes an oral version of ribupatide may serve a wide range of individuals with obesity or excess weight by offering a treatment option suited to different stages of their care experience.
Obesity-focused biotech Kailera debuted in October 2024 with a $400 million Series A financing. The company’s lead asset, injectable ribupatide (also known as KAI-9531), has been central to attracting the bulk of that investment.
Kailera states that the therapy is designed with an extended half-life, enabling steadier drug levels throughout a dosing cycle that sees the drug administered once a week.
Kailera Moves Forward With Obesity Pill After Mid-Stage Success
Kailera is advancing its obesity pill candidate following encouraging mid-stage clinical trial data, marking a significant milestone for Kailera and its partner Hengrui. The latest results position Kailera as an emerging contender in the competitive weight-loss drug market.
The mid-stage study demonstrated meaningful weight reduction and favorable safety outcomes, giving Kailera the confidence to proceed into late-stage development. According to company updates, Kailera observed consistent efficacy across multiple dosage groups, with manageable side effects.
The collaboration between Kailera and Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals continues to expand as both companies aim to accelerate development timelines. Kailera is expected to lead global development strategy while leveraging manufacturing and research expertise from its partner.
With obesity rates rising globally, Kailera is targeting a rapidly growing therapeutic market currently dominated by injectable GLP-1 treatments. The oral formulation under development by Kailera could provide a more convenient alternative for patients seeking weight management options.
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