Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO.US) has reported promising results from a mid-stage study in China for an experimental drug it licensed last year, supporting the company's efforts to find new products to sustain its growth in the obesity market. The firm's Chinese partner, United Laboratories International, stated that obese and overweight Chinese participants lost up to 19.7% of their body weight after 24 weeks of taking the drug. In comparison, those receiving a placebo experienced an average weight loss of only 2%. The trial involved 205 patients who were randomly assigned to receive doses of 2mg, 4mg, 6mg of the drug or a placebo. The results are based on estimates of outcomes if all patients had adhered to the treatment as planned. No detailed information was provided on whether any participants discontinued treatment. Novo Nordisk is conducting its own global early-stage clinical trial for the drug and expects to release primary data from that study in 2027. Martin Holst Lange, the company's head of development, said in a statement that they are "very encouraged by these data from the Chinese trial." The drug candidate, UBT251, is a long-acting synthetic peptide triple agonist that targets the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon receptors. This mechanism could potentially make it more potent than Novo Nordisk's own Wegovy, which only targets GLP-1. Under the licensing agreement, Novo Nordisk will obtain rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize UBT251 outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, while United Laboratories' United Biotechnology will retain rights in those regions. In exchange, United Biotechnology is eligible for a $200 million upfront payment, up to $1.8 billion in potential milestone payments, and tiered sales royalties. Based on the mid-stage study results, United Laboratories International also plans to initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial in China.