STAT+: New data may cast doubt on competitiveness of Boehringer’s obesity drug

STAT PlusPharma New data may cast doubt on competitiveness of Boehringer’s obesity drug Survodutide showed promise in cutting liver fat, but was less impressive at overall weight loss Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Elaine ChenJune 7, 2026 National Biotech Reporter Elaine Chen[email protected]Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. New data on Boehringer Ingelheim’s obesity candidate suggest the drug may be helpful in cutting liver fat, but it’s not clear how competitive the treatment would be since it appears less efficacious and less tolerable than drugs on the market. In a Phase 3 obesity trial, patients on the highest dose of the weekly injectable, called survodutide, lost 13% of their weight after 76 weeks, compared with 5% in the placebo group, according to data presented Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. That’s lower than the rate of weight loss seen in pivotal trials of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. Advertisement Patients on survodutide, which targets the GLP-1 and glucagon hormones, did lose up to 63% of their liver fat, compared with 25% in the placebo group. Glucagon-targeting drugs are thought to be particularly helpful in cutting liver fat, since there are glucagon receptors in the liver. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the pharma industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, chronic disease, drug development, Obesity, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Elaine Chen National Biotech Reporter Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended Newsletters June 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Triple hormone receptors, a monthly obesity drug, and a bittersweet ending Pharma June 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Lilly shares safety, tolerability data on its next-gen obesity drug Advertisement Pharma June 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Detailed data show Pfizer’s monthly obesity drug continues to show potential First Opinion June 6, 2026 I led the U.S. CDC response to the 2014 Ebola epidemic. The new outbreak needs massive, immediate, meticulous action First Opinion Podcast June 6, 2026 How the Amish think about vaccines, health care costs, and much more Subscriber Picks