Mazdutide

AApproved in China onlyIBI362LY3305677GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist
In one paragraphMazdutide is a once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist developed by Innovent with Lilly. In the 610-person GLORY-1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2025, it produced 14.8% weight loss at 48 weeks on 6 mg against 0.5% on placebo; a 9 mg dose reached 18.6% at 60 weeks in GLORY-2. China's regulator approved it for chronic weight management on 27 June 2025 and later for type 2 diabetes. It is not approved in the US, EU or UK.
Schematic 3D structure of Mazdutide
29 residues · oxyntomodulin analogue, helical · schematic
Overall gradeA Established
Human trials3 phase 3 RCTs
Outcomes graded4
Last reviewed3 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

Grade A on weight because the phase 3 trials are large, published and consistent — but the approval is Chinese only, the trials enrolled Chinese adults, and no Western regulator has reviewed it. Outside China it is an investigational drug, whatever the vial says.

OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
Body weightAEstablishedLarge2 phase 3 RCTsGLORY-1, 610 Chinese adults, 48 weeks: −12.0% (4 mg) and −14.8% (6 mg) versus −0.5% placebo; at least 5% loss in 73.5%, 82.8% and 11.5%. GLORY-2, 462 adults, 60 weeks on 9 mg: −18.6% versus −3.0%; 44% lost at least 20%.12
Liver fatBProbableLargePhase 3 sub-analysesAmong participants with baseline liver fat above 10%: −66% (4 mg) and −80% (6 mg) versus −5% in GLORY-1; −72% versus +5% in GLORY-2.12
Blood glucose (HbA1c)AEstablishedModerateDREAMS phase 3 programmeDREAMS-1 and DREAMS-2 in type 2 diabetes met their HbA1c endpoints; approved for glycaemic control in China on that basis. DREAMS-3 reported superiority to semaglutide on HbA1c and weight.3
GI side effectsadverseAEstablishedModeratePhase 3Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting were the most frequent adverse events, mostly mild to moderate; discontinuation for adverse events 2.9% versus 0% in GLORY-2.12
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 3 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

An oxyntomodulin analogue engineered for weekly dosing, originally discovered by Lilly and developed in China by Innovent. Sold in China under the brand Xinermei (信尔美) at 4 mg and 6 mg since mid-2025, with a 9 mg dose in review.

It is the first dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist approved anywhere, which makes its Chinese trials the best published evidence for the mechanism — with the caveat that every participant was Chinese and the results may not transfer unchanged to other populations.

How it is thought to work

The GLP-1 half suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying; the glucagon half raises energy expenditure and clears liver fat. The unusually large liver-fat reductions in GLORY-1 and GLORY-2 are the signature of the second mechanism.

What is still unknown

  • Whether Lilly, which holds rights outside China, will take it through Western phase 3 trials.
  • Cardiovascular outcomes — no outcome trial exists.
  • How it performs in non-Chinese populations.

Regulatory status

European Union
Not authorised

No EMA application. Products sold online as mazdutide are unauthorised medicines.

United States
Not approved; cannot be compounded

Phase 2 in the US. The FDA has warned companies selling 'research' mazdutide for human use; it cannot be compounded.

United Kingdom
Unlicensed

No MHRA licence; supply is an offence.

Australia
Unapproved

Not on the ARTG; prescription-only substance with no lawful supply.

Canada
Not authorised

No DIN.

Sport (WADA)
Not on the list

Approved by China's NMPA, so S0 does not apply; not named in any section. Athletes should check the annual list.

Questions people actually ask

Is mazdutide approved?
In China, yes — for chronic weight management since 27 June 2025 and for type 2 diabetes since later that year. Nowhere else. In the US, EU, UK, Australia and Canada it is an unapproved drug.
How does mazdutide compare with tirzepatide?
No head-to-head trial exists. GLORY-2's 18.6% at 60 weeks on 9 mg sits between semaglutide's and tirzepatide's own trial results, but cross-trial comparison is unreliable — different populations, durations and placebo responses.
Can I buy mazdutide online?
Not legally outside China, and the FDA has specifically named it in warning letters to research-chemical sellers. What arrives in a vial is unverified.

One page per claimed effect

References

  1. 1
    Ji L, et al. Once-weekly mazdutide in Chinese adults with obesity or overweight (GLORY-1).N Engl J Med, 2025; DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2411528610 adults, 48 weeks.
  2. 2
    Innovent. Mazdutide 9 mg achieves up to 20.1% weight loss in Chinese adults with obesity (GLORY-2 topline).Press release, 19 Nov 2025462 adults, 60 weeks; topline, not yet peer-reviewed.
  3. 3
  4. 4
    Mazdutide: first approval.Drugs, 2025Regulatory summary.

Change log

  • 2026-09-03Initial publication from GLORY-1 (NEJM), GLORY-2 topline and the NMPA approvals.