Boehringer Ingelheim has released detailed findings from two phase 3 trials of its glucagon/GLP‑1 dual agonist survodutide, reporting substantial reductions in visceral and liver fat alongside sustained weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight.
The company said previously announced topline results from the 76‑week Synchronize‑1 trial showed weight loss of up to 16.6% from baseline, compared with 3.2% for placebo.
In a pre‑specified sub study, survodutide achieved a reduction of up to 34% in visceral fat, while lean mass accounted for no more than 10.8% of the change in total tissue mass at the highest dose. The same analysis showed liver fat reductions of up to 63.1%.
Dr Lee Kaplan, Director of the Obesity and Metabolism Institute in Boston and chair of the Synchronize programme executive committee, said: “For people living with obesity, weight loss is only one part of the story. They face an increased risk of developing serious conditions driven by obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction, including metabolic liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. There is an urgent need for treatments that go beyond weight loss to also address these related conditions.”
“I am delighted to see that these data reveal that the glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonism of survodutide offers a promising approach for people with obesity, and for those with obesity-associated metabolic liver diseases including MASLD and MASH.”
Shashank Deshpande, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “Obesity is a complex disease linked to how the body manages metabolism. Excess visceral fat, which is found primarily around the abdomen, is a known contributor to metabolic dysfunction and is closely connected to impaired liver function.”
He added: “By tackling obesity alongside visceral fat and liver fat, survodutide has the potential to redefine what a targeted weight management therapy can achieve, as we aim to address key drivers of metabolic dysfunction often associated with obesity.”
The company also presented results from the Synchronize‑MASLD trial, which met both primary endpoints and showed liver fat normalisation in six out of ten participants after 48 weeks.
