Boehringer Ingelheim has reported results from a phase 3 clinical trial of its glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist, survodutide, in adults with obesity or overweight. Participants receiving the therapy achieved a 16.6% reduction in body weight at Week 76. The result fell short of the levels reported by some existing drugs, but the company is focusing on other potential benefits of the therapy.
Survodutide targets both glucagon and GLP-1 pathways. Glucagon influences appetite regulation and stimulates the breakdown of fats, particularly in the liver, while GLP-1 suppresses appetite. By acting on both pathways, the therapy could support weight loss and improve liver health. Liver function affects fat accumulation, inflammatory markers and other aspects of metabolic health across the body.
The phase 3 Synchronize-1 trial enrolled 725 adults with obesity or overweight who did not have Type 2 diabetes. The study reported a placebo-adjusted weight loss of 13.4%, which was described as undifferentiated when compared within the broader treatment landscape.
Other drugs have reported results in similar populations. Novo Nordisk reported 12.4% placebo-adjusted weight loss at Week 68 for its GLP-1 drug Wegovy. Eli Lilly reported 17.8% placebo-adjusted weight loss at Week 72 for its dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist Zepbound and later shared data on its triple-agonist candidate retatrutide, which further raised the bar in this category.
Boehringer also reported a statistically significant reduction in waist circumference, a marker of visceral fat and cardiometabolic risk, although no data were provided. Visceral fat is associated with metabolic dysfunction and impaired liver function. Patients treated with survodutide primarily lost fat rather than muscle mass.
The results indicate potential areas where survodutide may differ, but no confirmed conclusions were provided in the topline readout. Additional data from Synchronize-1 and other ongoing studies may offer further detail and clarity over time. The phase 3 program includes trials in patients with comorbidities such as liver, cardiovascular and kidney disease, as well as studies in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
The topline results also did not provide a clear answer on tolerability. In a phase 2 trial, 24.6% of patients discontinued treatment. At a Barclays event, the CEO of Zealand Pharma, which licensed survodutide to Boehringer, predicted that more flexible titration and antiemetic drugs would help control side effects in the phase 3 trial, but it remains unclear whether this occurred in practice.
Boehringer stated that gastrointestinal events were observed, consistent with GLP-1 therapies. These events were mild to moderate and temporary, with discontinuations more frequent during dose escalation. The company has not yet released detailed safety and tolerability data from the phase 3 study.
Addressing differentiation, Paola Casarosa, Ph.D., a member of Boehringer’s board overseeing the company’s innovation unit, said the pharma’s “position remains clearly [that there is] a differentiation on what is the glucagon component and what is the liver health component.”
Survodutide is not the only obesity candidate in Boehringer’s pipeline. The company is also developing a triple agonist, although the exact targets have not been disclosed.
Boehringer has reported promising late-stage clinical results as Boehringer’s investigational obesity drug survodutide demonstrated significant weight loss in a Phase 3 trial. The data showed that patients treated with the therapy achieved an average 16.6% reduction in body weight at week 76, marking a meaningful milestone in obesity treatment innovation.
The results position Boehringer as an emerging competitor in the rapidly growing weight-loss therapeutics market.
Details of the SYNCHRONIZE-1 Trial by Boehringer
The Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial conducted by Boehringer evaluated survodutide in adults with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes. The study successfully met its primary endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant weight loss compared to placebo.
Key findings from Boehringer’s trial include:
- 16.6% average weight loss after 76 weeks
- Around 3.2% weight loss in placebo group
- Approximately 85% of patients achieved at least 5% weight reduction
- Significant reductions in waist circumference
These outcomes reinforce Boehringer’s confidence in the therapy’s clinical potential.
Mechanism of Action Behind Boehringer’s Survodutide
Boehringer’s survodutide is a dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist, designed to address multiple aspects of metabolic disease.
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