(Yicai) May 30 -- The full clinical trial results of a novel weight-loss drug developed by Chinese researchers in collaboration with biotech company Innovent Biologics have recently been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, marking the first time that a metabolic drug from China has been featured in this prestigious international medical journal.

Mazdutide is the world’s first and only GCG/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist that has applied for market approval. The drug targets both glucagon (GCG) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) for weight loss and blood sugar control.

Scientists and industry experts have been trying for a long time to combine the GCG and GLP-1 targets, Ji Linong, director of the endocrinology and metabolism department at Peking University People’s Hospital and lead investigator of the Phase Three clinical trial, dubbed GLORY-1, said on May 25. This would help better address complex metabolic issues in obese patients, such as visceral fat buildup and insulin resistance.

However, more work is needed to bridge the gap between China and leading countries in terms of turning basic research into clinical applications, Ji said.

Ninety percent of US drug patents are held by companies, while in China between 70 percent and 80 percent belong to research institutes, according to the National Intellectual Property Administration. These patents need to be handed over to companies for them to carry out independent, regulation-compliant drug development. However, there remain systemic challenges, he added.

To narrow the gap in drug R&D between China and overseas, China must build a more complete ecosystem, said Qian Lei, senior vice president of Suzhou-based Innovent. This ecosystem should encompass investment, manufacturing and industry-academia collaboration, especially by establishing more supportive payment systems for biotech firms.

Mazdutide is the world’s most advanced dual GCG/GLP-1 receptor agonist in development, Innovent previously told Yicai. The drug is expected to launch in China later this year, with approvals for use in both weight loss and blood sugar control.

Editor: Kim Taylor