HK inno.N’s introduced GLP-1 class obesity treatment “Ecnoglutide” reduced body mass index (BMI) by up to 12.6% over 20 weeks in an early-stage clinical trial in adolescents with obesity.

HK inno.N announced that its Chinese partner CyNwind Biosciences presented the results of a phase 1b clinical trial of Ecnoglutide in adolescents with obesity at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting held in Milan, Italy, on the 30th of last month (local time).

Ecnoglutide is a cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)-biased GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is a drug designed to selectively activate specific signaling pathways at the GLP-1 receptor. HK inno.N in-licensed Ecnoglutide from CyNwind in 2024 and is currently conducting phase 3 clinical trials in Korea for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

The trial enrolled 48 Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with obesity. Participants were randomized to receive Ecnoglutide 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or placebo, and were treated for 20 weeks.

The study showed that in the Ecnoglutide treatment groups, weight loss appeared from week 4 of treatment and continued through week 20.

At week 20, BMI in the treatment groups decreased by 11.2–12.6% from baseline. Body weight declined by 10.4–12.1%. In contrast, in the placebo group, body weight increased by 1.2%, and no significant change in BMI was observed.

Waist circumference and neck circumference also decreased. The company stated that cardiovascular and metabolic parameters such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides, and blood pressure also tended to improve compared with the placebo group.

Overall safety and tolerability were favorable, and the pharmacokinetic profile was similar to that observed in adult studies.

Professor Fu Junfen of the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, said, “In treating adolescent obesity, it is important to comprehensively evaluate not only weight reduction but also safety and the impact on growth and development,” adding, “Through the ongoing phase 3 trial, the efficacy and safety will be assessed in greater detail.”

Phase 3 clinical trials of Ecnoglutide in adolescent patients with obesity are currently underway.

HK inno.N CEO Kwak Dal-won said, “These study results confirm the potential of Ecnoglutide as a treatment for adolescent obesity,” and added, “We are also reviewing development strategies to provide diverse treatment options for domestic patients.”

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