(Yicai) March 26 -- The Chinese version of Danish insulin producer Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide injection, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, has been given the green light by Chinese regulators to begin clinical trials for weight loss, as a number of Chinese firms make inroads into the highly lucrative slimming drug field.

CSPC’s semaglutide injection has been granted approval by the National Medical Products Administration to conduct clinical trials for weight management in obese adults, along with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, the Shijiazhuang-based firm said yesterday. This is the second indication approved for clinical trials following that of type 2 diabetes in adults, it added.

Semaglutide promotes insulin secretion by activating glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors which help regulate blood sugar and control the appetite, especially among people with type 2 diabetes. It has become a popular weight loss drug in recent years due to its appetite suppressant properties.

Sales of Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug, which trades under the name Wegovy, more than quintupled last year from the year before to DKK31.3 billion (USD4.6 billion) last year, according to the Nagsvaerd-based company’s latest annual report.

China green lit Novo Nordisk's Semaglutide medicine in injection-form in August 2021 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults, and the tablet form was approved in January. In June last year, the Danish firm applied to China’s drug regulator to widen the scope to include obesity, and this medical indication is expected to be approved this year.

Recently, a number of Chinese drugmakers have made progress in imitating Wegovy's slimming effects. Earlier this month, Huadong Medicine said that its self-developed drug HDM1005 has been approved for clinical trials for type 2 diabetes and weight management, and last month, Livzon Pharmaceutical Group said that its generic Semaglutide has been green lit for weight-loss clinical trials.

Editor: Kim Taylor