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Peptide drug (approved in China)Human trialsIn clinical trials

Mazdutide

Mazdutide

Last reviewed October 27, 2026 · 18 sources · Written for general readers · Compare with another compound →

The bottom line

Mazdutide is a weekly shot that acts on glucagon and GLP-1 receptors. China approved it in 2025 for weight management and type 2 diabetes after trials in Chinese adults, where it led to about 11% to 14% weight loss over 48 weeks, and about 17% at a higher strength over 60 weeks, versus little change on placebo. It is not FDA approved, and FDA has warned US sellers of research use only mazdutide.

Where the evidence stands

What it is

Mazdutide is a weekly shot that acts on two receptors, glucagon and GLP-1. It is developed by Innovent Biologics together with Eli Lilly.[1] In research papers it is also called IBI362 or LY3305677.[2]

China approved it in June 2025 for long term weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight related health problem, and in September 2025 for blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.[1] We found no record of FDA approval.

Lilly has also tested it in the United States: a 2026 phase 2 trial enrolled 179 American adults with obesity or overweight.[3]

PubChem lists its formula as C207H317N45O65.[4]

Name
Mazdutide (Mazdutide)
Other names
IBI362, LY3305677
Type
Peptide drug (approved in China)
Formula
C207H317N45O65
Molecular weight
About 4476 g/mol

What it does in the body

Mazdutide is a lab made peptide that switches on two hormone receptors: the GLP-1 receptor, which signals fullness and helps control blood sugar, and the glucagon receptor, which acts mainly on the liver.[1][2] It does not occur naturally in the body.[1]

This is the biology, area by area. A change measured in the body, like a higher blood level, does not always mean a person feels a benefit. The claims check below covers that.

Fat and appetite

Measured in people

In GLORY-1, 610 Chinese adults lost 11.0% to 14.0% of their weight over 48 weeks versus a 0.3% gain on placebo.[7] In GLORY-2, a higher strength led to 16.65% loss versus 1.50% over 60 weeks.[8] In a small 20 week study of 32 US adults, waist size shrank 12% to 17% versus under 1% on placebo, and people reported less appetite.[9]

Blood sugar

Measured in people

In DREAMS-1, 320 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes saw HbA1c (a three month blood sugar average) fall 1.57 to 2.15 points versus 0.14 on placebo over 24 weeks.[10] In a 20 week phase 2 trial of 251 adults, it fell 1.41 to 1.67 points, versus 1.35 on dulaglutide and almost no change on placebo. Low blood sugar was reported in 10% versus 8% on placebo.[11]

Liver

Measured in people

In GLORY-1 participants who started with high liver fat, liver fat fell about 66% to 80% versus about 5% on placebo, the company reported.[6] In mice on a high fat diet, MRI scans showed that four weeks of mazdutide cleared more liver fat than semaglutide, a GLP-1 only drug.[12]

Gut

Measured in people

Stomach upset is its most common effect. In GLORY-2, vomiting affected 53.1% versus 1.3% on placebo, nausea 46.9% versus 3.2% and diarrhea 39.4% versus 6.5%, mostly mild to moderate.[8]

Brain and memory

Seen in animals

In diabetic mice, mazdutide improved memory test scores and brain tissue health more than dulaglutide, a GLP-1 only drug.[13] This has not been studied in people.

Energy use

Seen in animals

A mouse study of a closely related compound found higher energy use along with weight loss.[1] No human study has measured whether mazdutide raises calorie burning.

How it works

Mazdutide switches on both the glucagon receptor and the GLP-1 receptor.[1]

  • The GLP-1 part targets the same receptor as approved drugs like semaglutide, which lowers appetite and food intake.[5]
  • In a mouse study of a closely related compound, energy use rose.[1] In people with high liver fat in its main obesity trial, liver fat fell sharply.[6]
  • It is also being studied for fatty liver disease, sleep apnea and alcohol use disorder.[1]

The two receptor targets are established. How much the glucagon action adds in people is still being studied.

What the research shows

We keep animal and human evidence apart. A result in animals is a reason to study something in people, not proof that it works in people.

Animal and lab studies

A few mouse studies, mostly on liver and brain

  • A mouse study cited in a drug review found that a closely related compound improved blood sugar control, lowered body weight and raised energy use.[1]
  • In 42 mice fed a high fat diet, four weeks of mazdutide cut liver fat more than semaglutide on very high field MRI scans, and the scans matched tissue samples. Liver iron fell about the same with both.[12]
  • In mice made obese with a high fat diet, four weeks of mazdutide lowered liver fat, liver injury markers and inflammation. In lab grown liver cells, it calmed a cell stress pathway tied to fat buildup.[17]
  • In diabetic mice, mazdutide did better than dulaglutide on memory tests and protected brain tissue structure. Gene and protein tests pointed to energy and nerve protection pathways.[13]

Limit: Mouse results do not show what happens in people, and the published animal work on mazdutide itself is small.

Human studies

Phase 3 trials in China, plus a US phase 2 trial, show large weight loss

  • Phase 1b: 24 Chinese adults with overweight or obesity got high strength weekly shots or placebo for 12 weeks. Weight fell 9.5% to 11.7% versus 1.8% to 3.3% on placebo. There were no serious side effects; colds, diarrhea, lower appetite and nausea were most common.[2]
  • High strength US study: 32 adults got weekly shots or placebo for 20 weeks. Weight fell about 20% to 21% versus 0.1% on placebo, and 67% to 75% lost at least 15%. No serious side effects were reported.[9]
  • Phase 2 obesity trial: 248 Chinese adults with overweight or obesity got weekly shots or placebo for 24 weeks. Weight fell 6.7% to 11.3% depending on strength versus a 1.0% gain on placebo. Diarrhea, nausea and colds were the most common side effects.[14]
  • GLORY-1: 610 Chinese adults with obesity or overweight were treated for 48 weeks. At 32 weeks, 74% to 82% had lost at least 5% of their weight versus 11% on placebo. At 48 weeks, weight was down 11.0% to 14.0% versus a 0.3% gain. Only 0.5% to 1.5% stopped because of side effects versus 1.0% on placebo.[7] Waist size fell 9.5 to 11.0 cm versus 1.5 cm among people who stayed on treatment, the company reported.[6]
  • GLORY-2: 462 Chinese adults with a BMI of 30 or more got a higher strength or placebo for 60 weeks. Weight fell 16.65% versus 1.50%, and 84.3% lost at least 5% versus 33.1%. Vomiting hit 53.1% versus 1.3% and nausea 46.9% versus 3.2%, but only 2.9% stopped because of side effects.[8]
  • US phase 2: 179 American adults without diabetes got one of three strengths or placebo. At 32 weeks, weight fell 7.3% to 18.1% versus 0.9%. At the highest strength, 20% stopped because of side effects, mostly stomach problems.[3]
  • Diabetes phase 2: 251 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes got mazdutide, dulaglutide or placebo for 20 weeks. HbA1c fell 1.41 to 1.67 points versus 1.35 on dulaglutide. Diarrhea hit 36%, lower appetite 29% and nausea 23% on mazdutide.[11]
  • DREAMS-1: 320 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes not on other drugs were treated for 24 weeks. HbA1c fell up to 2.15 points versus 0.14 on placebo. Diarrhea, lower appetite and nausea were the most common side effects.[10]
  • DREAMS-2: 731 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes on other pills got mazdutide or dulaglutide for 28 weeks. Mazdutide lowered HbA1c and weight more, but stomach side effects were more common than with dulaglutide.[15]
  • DREAMS-3, against semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity: at 32 weeks, 48% on mazdutide reached both an HbA1c under 7% and at least 10% weight loss, versus 21% on semaglutide, according to the company.[16]

Limit: Most large trials were in Chinese adults and lasted about a year or less, and no heart outcome trial has reported.

Claims check

The most common claims about this compound, and what studies actually found. Verdicts rate the evidence, not whether you should use it.

Causes large weight loss

Shown in people

GLORY-1 treated 610 Chinese adults with obesity or overweight for 48 weeks. Counting everyone, weight fell 11.0% and 14.0% on the two strengths versus a 0.3% gain on placebo, and 36% to 50% lost at least 15% versus 2%.[7] An earlier 24 week trial in 248 adults found 6.7% to 11.3% loss versus a 1.0% gain on placebo.[14] In GLORY-2, 462 Chinese adults with a BMI of 30 or more lost 16.65% on a higher strength versus 1.50% on placebo over 60 weeks.[8] In a US trial of 179 adults, weight fell 7.3% to 18.1% versus 0.9% on placebo at 32 weeks.[3]

Clears fat from the liver

Mixed results

In GLORY-1 participants who started with high liver fat, liver fat fell by about 66% to 80% versus about 5% on placebo, according to the company.[6] This was a subgroup result, and dedicated liver trials are still under way.[1]

Shrinks belly and waist size

Shown in people

In GLORY-1, waist size fell 9.5 to 11.0 cm versus 1.5 cm on placebo over 48 weeks among people who stayed on treatment.[6] In a 20 week study of 32 US adults, waist size fell 12% to 17% versus under 1% on placebo.[9] Belly fat itself was not measured by scan in the published summaries we found.

Lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes

Shown in people

DREAMS-1 treated 320 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes for 24 weeks. HbA1c (a three month blood sugar average) fell 1.57 to 2.15 points versus 0.14 on placebo, and weight fell 5.6% to 7.8% versus 1.3%.[10] An earlier 20 week trial of 251 adults found HbA1c drops of 1.41 to 1.67 points versus almost none on placebo.[11]

Works better than older GLP-1 drugs

Shown in people

DREAMS-2 compared it with dulaglutide in 731 adults with type 2 diabetes for 28 weeks. HbA1c fell 0.24 to 0.30 points more, and weight fell about 3.8 to 5.8 percentage points more, than on dulaglutide.[15] The company reported that a trial against semaglutide also met its main goal.[16] In the 20 week phase 2 trial, weight fell up to 7.1% on mazdutide versus 2.7% on dulaglutide.[11]

Boosts energy burning

Only in animals

A mouse study of a closely related compound found higher energy use along with lower body weight and better blood sugar control.[1] We found no human study that measured whether mazdutide raises calorie burning.[7]

Known risks and side effects

  • Stomach and gut side effects. In GLORY-2, vomiting affected 53.1% of people versus 1.3% on placebo, nausea 46.9% versus 3.2% and diarrhea 39.4% versus 6.5%.[8] In a US trial, 20% stopped the highest strength because of side effects, mostly stomach problems.[3]
  • No US safety label. Its approvals are in China, so there is no FDA label with official US warnings.[1] Drugs that act on the GLP-1 receptor carry warnings about pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and thyroid tumors seen in rodents.[5]
  • Limited data outside China. Its approvals rest on trials done mainly in China.[6] The largest published US trial so far had only 179 people.[3]
  • Unregulated research products. FDA has warned companies selling mazdutide labeled research use only and urges people not to buy such products because their quality is unknown.[18]

Regulatory status

Today: Mazdutide is approved in China for weight management and type 2 diabetes but is not FDA approved.[1] FDA has warned sellers of mazdutide labeled research use only.[18]

  1. Innovent signed a licensing deal with Lilly to develop the medicine in China.[1]
  2. China's drug regulator approved mazdutide for chronic weight management.[6]
  3. China approved it for blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.[1]
  4. The DREAMS-1 and DREAMS-2 diabetes trials were published in Nature.[10][15]
  5. FDA's updated GLP-1 page listed mazdutide among research only products it has warned about.[18]

Sources

  1. Shirley M. Mazdutide: First Approval. Drugs. 2025;85(12):1621-1627. PMID 41028652
  2. Ji L, Gao L, Jiang H, et al. Safety and efficacy of a GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist mazdutide (IBI362) 9 mg and 10 mg in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity: A randomised, placebo-controlled, multiple-ascending-dose phase 1b trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2022;54:101691. PMID 36247927
  3. Hsia SH, Bays HE, Billings LK, et al. Efficacy and safety of mazdutide in adults with obesity or overweight: a US-based, multicentre, phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2026;14(11):879-893. PMID 42628555
  4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 167312357, Mazdutide. PubChem CID 167312357
  5. Novo Nordisk. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information. Revised 06/2026. FDA label
  6. Innovent Biologics. Innovent Announces Mazdutide, First Dual GCG/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, Received Approval from China's NMPA for Chronic Weight Management. June 27, 2025. Company press release
  7. Ji L, Jiang H, Bi Y, et al. Once-Weekly Mazdutide in Chinese Adults with Obesity or Overweight. N Engl J Med. 2025. PMID 40421736
  8. Gao L, Jiang H, Cai H, et al. Treatment With 9-mg Mazdutide for Weight Reduction in Chinese Adults With Obesity: The GLORY-2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2026;336(5). PMID 42251595
  9. Bhattachar SN, Tham LS, Li Y, et al. Mazdutide reduces body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: A high-dose Phase 1 trial. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(11):6460-6469. PMID 40832785
  10. Zhu D, Zhao J, Cai H, et al. Mazdutide versus placebo in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Nature. 2026;652(8108):174-180. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-10026-w
  11. Zhang B, Cheng Z, Chen J, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Mazdutide in Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(1):160-168. PMID 37943529
  12. Xia H, Min Y, Wang Y, et al. Multiparametric MRI Evaluation of Liver Fat and Iron after Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor and Glucagon Receptor Dual-Agonist Treatment in a High-Fat Diet-induced Mouse Model. Radiology. 2025;316(2):e243780. PMID 40828048
  13. Dong W, Bai J, Yuan Q, et al. Mazdutide, a dual agonist targeting GLP-1R and GCGR, mitigates diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction: mechanistic insights from multi-omics analysis. EBioMedicine. 2025;117:105791. PMID 40479843
  14. Ji L, Jiang H, Cheng Z, et al. A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of mazdutide in Chinese overweight adults or adults with obesity. Nat Commun. 2023. PMID 38092790
  15. Guo L, Zhang B, Xue X, et al. Mazdutide versus dulaglutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Nature. 2026;652(8108):181-188. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-10031-z
  16. Innovent Biologics. Press release on publication of the DREAMS-1 and DREAMS-2 phase 3 mazdutide results in Nature. December 17, 2025 (reposted by BioSpace). Company press release
  17. Gan L, Duan L, Zheng X. Mazdutide Ameliorates Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Modulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Improving Lipid Metabolism and Alleviating Inflammation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026;19(3):371. PMID 41901218
  18. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss. Content current as of October 1, 2026. FDA
Medical disclaimer

This page is educational information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace care from a licensed medical provider. Do not use this page to decide whether to take any substance. Talk to a licensed medical provider first.

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