Eccogene Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 1b Trial of Elecoglipron in China

Oral GLP-1 receptor agonist shows favorable safety and tolerability profile in adults with obesity/overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Eccogene, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced positive topline results from the first Phase 1b clinical trial in China evaluating elecoglipron (AZD5004/ECC5004), an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, in adults living with obesity or overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The results demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, as well as clinically meaningful reductions in body weight and improvements in glycemic control.

Why it matters

Obesity is a growing global health issue, and effective and convenient treatments are needed to help reduce the burden of this chronic disease. The positive results from this Phase 1b trial in China, combined with the comprehensive data from the global Phase 2b program, provide a strong foundation to support Eccogene's participation in the upcoming global Phase 3 clinical development program for elecoglipron.

The details

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b study investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of elecoglipron administered once daily for 16 weeks in 45 adult Chinese participants who are living with obesity or overweight, with or without T2DM. Elecoglipron was generally well-tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. The PK profile of elecoglipron in Chinese participants was similar to prior data generated from global clinical studies, supporting the potential use of consistent dose levels and dosing regimen for Chinese participants in the subsequent global clinical development. Participants treated with elecoglipron achieved clinically meaningful weight reduction and glycemic improvements compared to the placebo group.

  • The Phase 1b study was conducted over a 16-week treatment period.

The players

Eccogene

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation oral small molecule therapeutics for chronic cardiometabolic and inflammatory conditions.

Elecoglipron (AZD5004/ECC5004)

An investigational oral, small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist discovered by Eccogene, designed to offer a convenient once-daily dosing regimen.

AstraZeneca

A global biopharmaceutical company that entered into a global licensing agreement with Eccogene for elecoglipron in November 2023, while Eccogene retains co-development and co-commercialization rights in China.

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What they’re saying

“The completion of this Phase 1b trial represents an important step forward for elecoglipron's development in China supported by the seamless collaboration between AstraZeneca and Eccogene.”

— Jingye Zhou, Chief Executive Officer of Eccogene (Business Wire)

“Obesity is a disease that affects billions worldwide and we need effective and convenient treatments that can reduce the burden of this chronic disease. The Phase 1b results, together with the Phase 2b data show the potential of elecoglipron to deliver clinically meaningful results, supporting our decision to progress into Phase 3 development.”

— Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca (Business Wire)

What’s next

The positive data from this Phase 1b study in China, combined with the comprehensive results from the global Phase 2b program, provide an integrated clinical foundation to support Eccogene's participation in the upcoming global Phase 3 clinical development program for elecoglipron.

The takeaway

The successful completion of this Phase 1b trial in China for elecoglipron, a novel oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, represents an important milestone in the development of a potentially effective and convenient treatment option for adults living with obesity or overweight, with or without type 2 diabetes. The favorable safety and tolerability profile, along with the observed clinical benefits, position elecoglipron for further advancement in global Phase 3 trials.