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In clinical trials

Digestive & weight

Mazdutide

Also called IBI362, LY3305677

EvidenceDeep research
ClassGLP-1 / glucagon dual agonist

Mazdutide is a once-weekly GLP-1 and glucagon agonist approved in China in 2025. It remains investigational and is not FDA-approved in the U.S.

Reviewed by
William Maish, MD MBA MPH, Clinical Product Lead
Published
April 18, 2026
Last updated
October 5, 2026

Key takeaway

Mazdutide is a GLP-1 and glucagon dual-receptor agonist, developed by Innovent Biologics under license from Eli Lilly, given as a once-weekly injection for weight management and type 2 diabetes. In large Phase 3 trials it produced substantial weight loss, and it was approved in China in 2025, while remaining investigational in the United States. As of 2026 it is not FDA-approved.

At a glance

FDA statusApproved in China (2025) but investigational and not FDA-approved in the United States
What it isGLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist given as a once-weekly injection
ResearchMultiple positive Phase 3 trials in Chinese adults with obesity
Glucagon roleIntended to add energy expenditure and liver-fat effects
Evidence strengthDeep research

What is mazdutide?

Mazdutide is a dual-receptor agonist that activates both the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor in one molecule, based on an analog of the natural hormone oxyntomodulin. It is developed by Innovent Biologics under license from Eli Lilly, with Innovent holding rights in China. It is given as a once-weekly injection for weight management and type 2 diabetes.

How does it work?

Mazdutide combines two hormone actions. The GLP-1 receptor1 arm:

  • Enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion
  • Slows gastric emptying
  • Reduces appetite

The glucagon receptor2 arm is intended to increase energy expenditure and promote breakdown of fat in the liver.

The rationale for adding glucagon action is to boost weight loss and reduce liver fat relative to a GLP-1 drug alone. This describes the proposed mechanism, separate from the outcomes measured in trials.

Is it FDA-approved?

Not in the United States. Mazdutide is investigational in the U.S. and has not been approved by the FDA. It was approved in China by the NMPA in 2025 for chronic weight management, reported as the first glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist approved for weight loss, and in September 2025 it was also approved there for type 2 diabetes3. Those approvals apply in China and not in the United States.

What does the research show?

The evidence comes from large Phase 3 trials in Chinese adults. According to PubMed, the two GLORY trials reported these weight results:

TrialPopulationDurationWeight result
GLORY-14Obesity or overweight48 weeksSignificant weight reduction versus placebo
GLORY-22Moderate-to-severe obesity60 weeksMean weight change of about -17% with mazdutide versus about -2% with placebo

In GLORY-2, gastrointestinal effects were the most common side effects. A systematic review5 summarized consistent results across studies in predominantly Chinese populations. These are positive, replicated Phase 3 results underpinning the China approval, though not an FDA approval.

More for digestive & weight

Sources: the GLORY-1 trial (Ji et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2025, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa24115284); the GLORY-2 trial (Gao et al., JAMA, 2026, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2026.81422); and a systematic review (Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2026, DOI: 10.1111/dom.710585), all indexed on PubMed. This document is educational, is not medical advice or a health claim, and is not an offer to sell any product.