Oral GLP-1 drug produces up to 12 percent weight loss in 36-week study

A study conducted at Northwestern University found that adults with overweight or obesity who took once-daily oral doses of aleniglipron lost up to 12 percent of their body weight after 36 weeks. Researchers analyzed 230 adults across 38 U.S. medical centers.

Participants received increasing doses every four weeks or a placebo. Average weight loss from baseline reached nearly 12 percent by the end of the trial. The drug works by stimulating insulin secretion, suppressing appetite, and increasing satiety.

Researchers described it as a small-molecule compound that can be taken with or without food.

Side effects and safety data Gastrointestinal side effects were reported as mild to moderate and decreased over time. Researchers stated they found no new safety signals during the study. A prior trial by Structure Therapeutics reported about 16 percent weight loss over 39 weeks with the same compound. Aleniglipron remains unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration.