Global pharma company United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) and Novo Nordisk have announced promising topline results from a Chinese phase 2 trial of new diabetes drug UBT251, a novel triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.

 

UBT251 is being co-developed by TUL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co, and Novo Nordisk under a 2025 agreement that splits development responsibilities: United Biotechnology oversees Greater China, while Novo Nordisk manages the rest of the world.

 

The trial tested once-weekly injectable doses of 2 mg, 4 mg, and 6 mg of UBT251 against placebo and semaglutide 1 mg in 211 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Patients started with a mean HbA1c of 8.12%. After 24 weeks, the highest HbA1c reduction with UBT251 was 2.16%, outperforming semaglutide at 1.77% and placebo at 0.66%.

 

Weight loss results were equally impressive. From an average starting weight of 80.1 kg and BMI of 29.1, participants on UBT251 lost up to 9.8% of body weight, compared to 4.8% with semaglutide and 1.4% with placebo. UBT251 also improved secondary measures such as waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid profiles. Safety and tolerability were consistent with previous triple-G agonist trials.

 

“The success of the phase 2 trial for UBT251 in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes marks a significant milestone in the innovative development of TUL,” said Tsoi Hoi Shan, Chairman of TUL. “We will fully advance the phase 3 trial in China, committed to providing superior treatment options for patients worldwide.”

 

“Following the recent positive read-out of phase 2 data in people with overweight or obesity, we are encouraged to see the results of this trial, which also demonstrate the potential of UBT251 in a type 2 diabetes population,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president, chief scientific officer, and head of R&D at Novo Nordisk. 

 

“Novo Nordisk will initiate a global phase 2 trial with UBT251 in people with type 2 diabetes later this year, and we are already conducting a global phase 2 trial in weight management that will read out next year.”