What it is
Survodutide is a peptide made in a lab by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma. It attaches to two receptors: GLP-1 and glucagon. GLP-1 lowers hunger and tells the pancreas to release insulin. Glucagon tells the liver to burn fat. Because of the glucagon part, researchers study it closely for fatty liver disease. A fatty acid chain keeps it in the body for about 5 to 7 days. It is still being tested and is not approved anywhere. Other names: BI 456906.
What researchers study it for
- Body weight in people with obesity
- Fatty liver disease with inflammation, called MASH
- Liver scarring
- Heart outcomes in people with obesity
What the studies found
1. Adults with obesity lost up to 14.9 percent of body weight in 46 weeks.
A 2024 phase 2 trial gave 387 adults with overweight or obesity, without diabetes, a weekly shot of survodutide at one of several doses, or placebo. At the highest dose, weight dropped 14.9 percent. The placebo group lost 2.8 percent. People who stayed on the highest dose the whole time lost 18.7 percent. Stomach side effects were the most common and rose with dose. Human data.
2. Liver inflammation cleared in up to 62 percent of patients with MASH.
A 2024 phase 2 trial enrolled 293 adults with MASH and liver scarring, confirmed by biopsy. After 48 weeks, MASH improved without worse scarring in 47 to 62 percent on survodutide, depending on dose, compared to 14 percent on placebo. Nausea was common. Human data.
3. It was picked from 19 candidates in mouse tests.
This 2024 study describes how the company chose survodutide. They tested 19 similar peptides in obese mice. The best ones lowered body weight 25 to 27 percent by raising energy use and fat burning. The study also found blood markers that show when the glucagon receptor is turned on. Mouse data only.
How much research exists
Phase 1 and phase 2 human trials are published. Phase 3 trials, called SYNCHRONIZE, are ongoing, including a heart outcome trial with about 4,900 people. No long-term safety data has been published yet.
Facts
- Formula: C192H289N47O61
- Weight: 4231.6 g/mol
- CAS number: 2805997-46-8
- Sequence: peptide chain with a fatty acid chain attached. Full sequence not listed here.
- Time in the blood: about 5 to 7 days
- Storage: keep in the fridge. Do not freeze. Keep away from light.
Legal status
Not approved by the FDA or any other agency. It is an investigational drug in phase 3 trials.
For research use only. Not for human use. Nothing here is medical advice.