Is ecnoglutide similar to Ozempic?

Yes, ecnoglutide is a new GLP-1 receptor agonist under development as a possible alternative to Ozempic (semaglutide). While they share a lot of similarities, there are a few differences between these 2 drugs. Ecnoglutide is made from natural amino acids, which makes it easier to produce and may be more cost effective than other GLP-1s like semaglutide.

Both ecnoglutide and semaglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists. This means they bind to and activate the GLP-1 receptor, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar and appetite. However, unlike semaglutide, ecnoglutide primarily targets the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a messenger molecule involved with regulating glycogen, lipid, and sugar metabolism. This helps control blood-sugar levels and contributes to weight loss.

When it comes to weight loss, Ozempic has shown slightly better reductions. In clinical trials, people on Ozempic lost about an average of 15% of their starting body weight while a Phase III trial with ecnoglutide saw around a 13% weight loss. In type 2 diabetics, they are very similar when it comes to HbA1c reduction, with both medications averaging around a 2% decrease at the highest dose.

But, while Ozempic has been a blockbuster drug since it came out at the end of 2017, ecnoglutide is still in the trial phase. It is expected to be approved and potentially available in China as early as 2026.

Sources

• Zhu D, Wang W, et al. Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 analog ecnoglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. Nat Commun. 2024 Sep 27;15(1):8408. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52353-y. Accessed July 3, 2025.
• Ji L, Gao L, Xue H, et al. Efficacy and safety of a biased GLP-1 receptor agonist ecnoglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Published online June 21, 2025. Accessed July 3, 2025.
• Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Novo Nordisk. Last updated 1/2025. Accessed July 3, 2025.