- A new weight loss drug called survodutide has shown promising results in a phase 3 clinical trial.
- The drug, which stimulates GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, led to a 16.6% drop in body weight.
- Survodutide also reduced waist circumference, an indicator of metabolic health.
- Experts hope the drug will be useful for both obesity and liver disease; however, it is not yet approved for use.
Boehringer Ingelheim, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, has announced promising results from its Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 clinical trial testing survodutide.
Survodutide is a novel dual-action drug designed to treat obesity and related metabolic conditions.
The trial, conducted across multiple international sites and involving 725 adults living with obesity or overweight but without type 2 diabetes, concluded in April 2026 after 76 weeks of treatment.
Survodutide, which activates both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptors, demonstrated significant and sustained weight loss.
Participants lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight, a significant improvement compared to just 3.2% in the placebo group.
Treatment with survodutide also showed meaningful metabolic improvements, including reductions in waist circumference, a key predictor of cardiometabolic risk.
Survodutide (BI 456906) is similar to the active ingredient tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) in that it combines two mechanisms of action. However, it acts on a different combination of hormone receptors.
While GLP-1 receptor agonists can aid weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing fullness and satiety, survodutide goes a step further by activating glucagon receptors, which are believed to help regulate metabolic functions in the liver.
This is significant because it may allow an additional reduction in liver fat, potentially helping to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis, two causes of obesity-related complications.
The SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial evaluated survodutide’s safety and efficacy in adults with overweight or obesity, excluding those with type 2 diabetes.
Participants received weekly injections of survodutide at doses of 3.6 milligrams or 6.0 milligrams, or a placebo, over nearly a year and a half.
The primary goals of the study were to assess the percentage change in body weight and the proportion of participants achieving at least a 5% reduction in body weight from baseline after 76 weeks of treatment.
According to the researchers, up to 85.1% of those treated with survodutide achieved at least a 5% reduction in their weight, contrasting with only 38.8% in the placebo group who reached this goal.
On average, people lost 16.6% of their weight, which was equivalent to about 39.2 pounds. The researchers further noted that this was mainly composed of fat rather than lean muscle tissue.
Another positive indicator was a significant decrease in waist circumference among the participants. Waist circumference is associated with visceral abdominal fat, which is linked to metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.
The researchers further reported that common GLP-1 gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, were mostly mild to moderate and temporary. These events occurred mainly during the early phase of treatment when the dose was being titrated up. No new safety concerns emerged during the trial.
Hector Perez, MD, lead bariatric surgeon at Renew Bariatrics and an advisor at Bariatric Reports, told Healthline that when it comes to weight loss, it’s too early to call survodutide a “game-changer.”
“[W]hile the reported weight loss number is impressive, we already have very strong performers in this category,” he said.
Perez, who was not involved in the SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial, cautioned that the full data should be made available before any claims are made about its side effects.
“In real life, the best drug is often the one patients can actually stay on,” he said.
However, survodutide acts on multiple metabolic pathways, so it could be useful beyond its appetite-suppressing effects, Perez noted.
Survodutide may treat liver disease by addressing the underlying metabolic problems that cause fatty liver, such as excess body fat, insulin resistance, and inflammation.
Its ability to reduce appetite can lower the amount of fat stored in the liver, Perez explained.
On the other hand, its glucagon-based action could help the body burn more fat, including harmful visceral and liver fat.
This could lead to improved liver enzymes, less liver inflammation, and slower progression of scarring.
“In simple terms, it may help the liver heal by improving the whole metabolic system,” said Perez. “If this drug truly improves liver inflammation and fibrosis markers while driving weight loss, that’s where it could carve out a real niche.”
Kristin Kuminski, a registered dietitian nutritionist with The RX Index, who wasn’t involved in the trial, called the results “significant,” placing survodutide at a similar level of efficacy to tirzepatide.
However, she said that any questions you ask your physician should focus on how it compares to existing weight loss drugs as far as side effects, and how it performs for people with co-existing conditions like fatty liver disease.
“It’s not yet approved, so the conversation with a doctor right now is about what’s in the pipeline, whether current GLP-1 options are working, and whether to watch for survodutide trials to participate in,” she said.
Perez added that you should also discuss other practical questions with your doctor before taking a weight loss medication, such as whether you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery.
“[M]any people lose years trying medications when surgery would have given them a better long-term outcome,” he said.
You should also ask whether weight loss is realistic for your body, how to protect muscle while losing weight, what side effects you can expect, what happens when you stop taking the medication, and whether your insurance covers your treatment.
“Basically, my advice is to choose your treatment according to your body, your habits, your finances, and what you can realistically sustain for years instead of getting impressed with a shiny new drug,” Perez said.
