Survodutide is a new experimental drug developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma to treat obesity. Although it’s still in clinical trials, early results indicate this could not only help with weight loss, but also be an effective treatment for fatty liver disease.
Survodutide is a dual agonist drug that activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. These naturally occurring hormones play a vital role in helping the body regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism.
Other weight management medications that target GLP-1 receptors, such as Wegovy (Semaglutide), work by reducing appetite and slowing down digestion to leave you feeling fuller for longer. Survodutide does this too, but it goes beyond appetite suppression by also activating glucagon receptors at the same time.
Glucagon helps the body break down fat and increase energy. Stimulating both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors means Survodutide could make people feel less hungry while also burning fat more effectively. This could have a dual-action benefit of combining weight loss with other metabolic improvements, including helping people with fatty liver disease.
The main benefits of Survodutide seen in trials so far:
Survodutide is being tested to treat two conditions:
MASH (previously known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) is a chronic and progressive form of liver disease. It’s caused by a buildup of fat in the liver, leading to inflammation and long-term damage, such as tissue scarring (fibrosis). It often occurs in people who are overweight or resistant to insulin.
While the GLP-1 agonist helps reduce hunger and increase fullness, the glucagon agonist in Survodutide has a direct impact on the liver. In a phase 2 study involving patients living with MASH, 83% showed signs of liver health improvement after 48 weeks of Survodutide treatment.
This is a promising sign, especially since it’s estimated 34% of people living with obesity also have MASH – a condition which doesn’t yet have any licensed treatment options.
Wegovy (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) are already licensed to treat weight loss in the UK. While they all have the GLP-1 receptor, there are differences in how they react with the body.
When it comes to weight loss, trials so far have found Survodutide to be a promising medication for those living with obesity. In one study, people lost an average 18.7% of their body weight over 46 weeks. [5]
Survodutide is just one of many new developments in weight loss medications to help people improve their health. Retatrutide is another drug that’s also going through clinical trials. Known as the ‘Triple G’, it targets three hormone receptors: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.
Similar to other weight loss injectables, the most common side effects reported in clinical trials were gastrointestinal in nature:
The most adverse reactions are thought to have occurred at higher doses. Like with other injectable weight loss medications, it’s important to start on a low dose and increase gradually under medical supervision. [2]
