Genentech Announces Positive Phase II Results for Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist Enicepatide in People Living With Type 2 Diabetes and Overweight or Obesity
Phase II data show large HbA1c and weight reductions with enicepatide, supporting Genentech’s move into extensive Phase III cardiometabolic programs.
● At the highest dose (24 mg), enicepatide achieved a mean HbA1c reduction of
● In patients with poor baseline glycemic control (HbA1c >
● By week 48,
● At the highest 24 mg dose, enicepatide achieved a mean weight loss of
● Enicepatide demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the incretin class, with low discontinuation rates and no new safety signals identified
The safety and tolerability profile of enicepatide was consistent with other established incretin-based therapies, with the most common adverse events being predominantly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal effects. In addition, the treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events was low (
The totality of data positions enicepatide, a unique dually biased GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, as a differentiated molecule designed for potentially greater efficacy with a favorable safety profile.
“We are highly encouraged by the efficacy demonstrated by enicepatide in this Phase II study, including the meaningful proportion of patients reaching normalized glucose levels within less than a year of treatment,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Combined with sustained weight loss, enicepatide offers a potential best-in-disease profile capable of reducing and preventing complications as well as enhancing metabolic health for people living with type 2 diabetes.”
Genentech is advancing a broad late-stage development program for enicepatide, including two ongoing Phase III studies in chronic weight management (ENITH-1 and ENITH-2) and plans to initiate a Phase III glycemic-control program and cardiovascular outcomes trials in the first half of 2027.
“These results reinforce our confidence in enicepatide and our ambition to rapidly advance its development for people living with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” said Teresa Graham, chief executive officer, Pharma. “As we expand into late-stage clinical studies and explore novel combinations, we are leveraging our integrated diagnostic and therapeutic expertise to build a competitive cardiometabolic portfolio — aiming to protect people from early metabolic dysfunction to advanced organ damage, ultimately reducing the global disease burden.”
About the enicepatide 104 Phase II study [NCT06628362]
The CT-388-104 study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of once-weekly enicepatide administered subcutaneously for 48 weeks in 447 adults living with T2DM and overweight or obesity. The dual primary outcomes are changes from baseline in HbA1c and body weight at week 48.
About enicepatide
Enicepatide is an investigational once-weekly subcutaneous injectable, dually biased GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist in development for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and additional cardiovascular indications. It aims to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar by selectively targeting and activating both receptors which integrate nutrient-derived signals to control energy homeostasis. Enicepatide was designed to have potent activation of both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, but with minimal to no ß-arrestin recruitment on either receptor. This biased signalling significantly minimizes receptor internalization and consequent desensitization, which is expected to lead to prolonged pharmacological activity.
About Obesity and T2D
Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are among the most urgent global public health challenges. Prevalence continues to rise, driving significant morbidity, disability and premature death.
Obesity is a major risk factor for T2D because excess body fat contributes significantly to insulin resistance and dysfunction of the cells that produce insulin. Consequently, people living with obesity are seven times more likely to develop T2D than those with a normal body mass index.
Diabetes is a condition that now affects nearly 600 million adults worldwide with T2D representing approximately
One of the most serious health risks of diabetes is cardiovascular disease. People living with diabetes face a 2-4 times higher risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, and coronary artery disease than those without it. Prolonged high blood glucose silently damages blood vessels and nerves, making cardiovascular complications more likely, more frequent and more severe over time.
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is measuring the average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. HbA1c of
About Genentech
Founded 50 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
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Source: Genentech