Novo and United Laboratories report 19.7 percent weight loss for triple agonist UBT251

Novo Nordisk and The United Laboratories International Holdings reported topline results from a Phase 2 trial in China of UBT251, an experimental once-weekly injection that targets three hormone receptors at once: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon ^[1][2]. Participants on the highest dose lost an average of 19.7% of their body weight after 24 weeks, compared with 2.0% on placebo ^[1]. RTTNews reported the announcement on February 24, 2026 ^[1].

What the trial measured

The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, and enrolled 205 Chinese patients ^[1]. Participants either had obesity, defined in the trial as a BMI of 28.0 kg/m² or higher, or were overweight, defined as a BMI between 24.0 and 28.0 kg/m², plus at least one weight-related health condition ^[1]. Average starting weight was 92.2 kg (about 203 pounds) and average starting BMI was 33.1 kg/m² ^[1].

The trial tested once-weekly injections at 2 mg, 4 mg and 6 mg against placebo ^[1]. The main endpoint was percent change in body weight at 24 weeks ^[1]. The best result, seen at the 6 mg dose, was a 19.7% average loss, roughly 17.5 kg (about 39 pounds), versus 2.0%, or about 1.6 kg, on placebo ^[1][2]. One trade outlet summarizing the release said secondary measures including waist circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids also improved ^[2].

On safety, the companies described UBT251 as generally safe and well tolerated ^[1][2]. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, and the release said the large majority were mild to moderate and eased over time, which is the familiar pattern for incretin-based drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide ^[1]. The sources do not give dropout rates, rates of nausea or vomiting by dose, or the number of serious adverse events. Detailed results are expected at a medical congress later this year ^[1].

How it fits the competitive picture

UBT251 is being developed by United Laboratories' subsidiary, The United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co., under a March 2025 agreement with Novo Nordisk ^[1]. United Biotechnology handles development in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; Novo Nordisk has the rest of the world ^[1][2]. One analysis noted that Eli Lilly's triple agonist retatrutide is already in Phase 3, and framed UBT251 as Novo's answer ^[2]. That same analysis compared the 19.7% figure at 24 weeks with tirzepatide's 20.9% at 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1 ^[2]. Comparisons across separate trials with different patients, countries and durations are not reliable evidence that one drug beats another.

Why it matters for patients

UBT251 is not approved anywhere and is not available by prescription in the United States. Nothing in these results changes what is on pharmacy shelves today.

What the data do suggest is that the next wave of obesity drugs may add a third target, glucagon, to the GLP-1 and GIP mechanisms already used by tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound). If triple agonists hold up in larger and longer studies, patients could eventually have more options, and more competition could affect pricing, though none of the sources address cost or insurance coverage.

There are real limits here. The trial ran only 24 weeks, which is short for a weight-management drug, and durability beyond that point is untested ^[2]. All 205 participants were in China ^[1], so results may not translate directly to a more varied US population. Topline press releases also report the headline numbers first; full safety and discontinuation data have not been published.

What happens next

• Second half of 2026: Novo Nordisk expects to start a Phase 2 trial of UBT251 in people with type 2 diabetes ^[1].
• Later in 2026: United Biotechnology plans to present detailed Phase 2 data at a medical congress ^[1]. A China Phase 3 trial in overweight and obesity is planned ^[1]; one outlet projected a Q3 2026 start, but that timing is an outside estimate, not confirmed company guidance ^[2].
• 2027: Topline data are expected from a global Phase 1b/2a trial Novo Nordisk recently started, testing different doses for up to 28 weeks in about 330 people with overweight or obesity ^[1].

Timing for any US filing is not yet known. One analysis floated a possible US or EU submission around 2029, but labeled it a forward-looking projection ^[2].