Novo Nordisk has reported results from its Phase II study of zenagamtide, an investigational once-weekly subcutaneous treatment, showing statistically significant reductions in blood sugar and body weight among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to placebo.
The study was presented at the American Diabetes Association 2026 Scientific Sessions.
The randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-finding trial assessed six doses of zenagamtide (0.4mg to 40mg) in 262 adults with diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin, with or without a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.
The primary endpoint, change in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) after 36 weeks, was met at all doses. The estimated mean change in HbA1C reached –1.71% at the 40mg dose versus –0.14% for placebo.
Up to 89.1% of participants on zenagamtide achieved HbA1C below 7%, and up to 76.2% achieved levels at or below 6.5%. More than 70% time in range (70mg/dL–180mg/dL) was observed across all doses (up to 91.4% at 40mg).
For the key secondary endpoint, mean body weight declined by up to 14.6% (from a baseline of 99.2kg) in the 40mg zenagamtide group compared with 2.1% in the placebo group. No plateau in weight loss was observed at the highest doses.
The trial used a fixed-dose-escalation design, and common adverse events were gastrointestinal and mostly mild to moderate in severity.
Safety findings matched those of other similar therapies. Based on these results, Novo Nordisk will advance zenagamtide into Phase III trials for adults with T2D in the second half (H2) of 2026.
Novo Nordisk research and development chief scientific officer and executive vice president Martin Holst Lange said: “Zenagamtide is the first investigational treatment for type 2 diabetes to combine a GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist mechanisms of action in a single molecule.
“These Phase II results build on the growing body of evidence, which demonstrates the potential of zenagamtide to meaningfully impact blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes and also body weight in people living with obesity.
“These results underscore our scientific leadership and position us to continue advancing innovative treatment options that could expand the therapeutic landscape and provide patients and healthcare professionals with greater choice in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity.”
Earlier this year, Novo Nordisk reported that CagriSema outperformed its flagship T2D drug Ozempic (semaglutide) in both HbA1c reduction and weight loss during a Phase III trial.
