Novo Nordisk's Answer to Retatrutide is Even Better: UBT251

[sfkid]

Wont be long before you see this in the vendors forum. What I don't understand is how this is different than reta which also targets the same receptors.

 

[justaguy97]

Wont be long before you see this in the vendors forum. What I don't understand is how this is different than reta which also targets the same receptors.

As far as I understand, it is the same receptors being activated, but the balance of which they are activated is different.

Reta has less appetite suppression than Tirz because it has less focus on GIP, whereas it seems UBT does a slightly better job than Reta at targeting these receptors due to having a different receptor activation balance

 

[CNCCurrency]

Is Novo Nordisk's Experimental Obesity Drug Outperforming Semaglutide?​

BENZINGAMar-25-2026 9:36 a.m. ET

The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) reported Wednesday topline data from a phase 2 trial in China showing that UBT251, a triple receptor agonist.

Semaglutide is a key ingredient in the famed Wegovy and Ozempic.

UBT251 is designed to challenge Eli Lilly & Co.'s ‘Triple G' obesity drug, retatrutide, which has already shown promising weight loss results.

UBT251 Shows Superior Glycemic Control And Weight Loss​
The once-weekly injectable UBT251 targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, positioning it within a growing class of multi-agonist therapies. The candidate is being co-developed by United Bio-Technology and Novo Nordisk (NVO) under a March 2025 agreement.

Under the collaboration, United Biotechnology leads development across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) oversees global markets.

In the 24-week study, patients receiving UBT251 achieved a maximum mean HbA1c (blood sugar) reduction of 2.16% from a baseline of 8.12%.

This compares with a 1.77% reduction for semaglutide 1 mg and 0.66% for placebo.

Weight loss outcomes also favored UBT251.

From a baseline weight of 80.1 kg, patients saw reductions of up to 9.8%, versus 4.8% with semaglutide and 1.4% with placebo.

Improvements Across Secondary Endpoints​
Beyond glycemic control and weight, UBT251 demonstrated improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure and lipid levels compared with placebo.

The safety and tolerability profile was consistent with prior studies of triple agonists, with no unexpected findings reported.

Next Steps: Global Trials And Phase 3 Plans​
Novo Nordisk (NVO) has already initiated a global phase 1b/2a trial evaluating UBT251 in overweight participants, with results expected in 2027.

The company plans to begin a global phase 2 trial in type 2 diabetes in the second half of 2026.

United Biotechnology intends to advance the program locally, with plans to launch two phase 3 trials in Chinese patients.

Detailed data from the current study will be presented at a medical conference later this year.

NVO Stock Price Activity: Novo Nordisk (NVO) shares were up 0.89% at $37.22 at the last check on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data

 

[CNCCurrency]

As far as I understand, it is the same receptors being activated, but the balance of which they are activated is different.

Reta has less appetite suppression than Tirz because it has less focus on GIP, whereas it seems UBT does a slightly better job than Reta at targeting these receptors due to having a different receptor activation balance