Mazdutide 9 mg in Chinese adults with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m

Summary

In a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (n=80), mazdutide 9 mg induced a -12.78% mean weight change vs +1.80% with placebo and improved cardiometabolic risk factors. Adverse events were mainly mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms.

Key Findings

• Mazdutide 9 mg achieved -12.78% mean weight change at 24 weeks vs +1.80% with placebo (treatment difference -14.58%, p<0.0001).
• 81.7% of participants on mazdutide achieved ≥5% weight loss; none did with placebo.
• Cardiometabolic risk factors improved more with mazdutide; GI adverse events (nausea 50%, diarrhea 38.3%, vomiting 36.7%) were mostly mild–moderate.

Clinical Implications

If confirmed in larger and longer RCTs, mazdutide could expand pharmacologic options for obesity, potentially benefiting patients needing >10% weight loss with additional metabolic gains.

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=80) and 24-week duration limit long-term efficacy and safety inference
• Single-country population may limit generalizability across ethnicities and healthcare systems

Future Directions

Phase 3 trials should assess long-term weight maintenance, cardiovascular and hepatic outcomes, quality of life, and comparative effectiveness vs GLP-1/GIP co-agonists.