HK Inno.N says obesity drug cut teen weight by up to 12.1% in 20-week trial
In short
HK Inno.N said its Chinese partner Sciwind Biosciences presented phase 1b results showing the GLP-1 obesity drug eknoglutide reduced body weight by up to 12.1% over 20 weeks in obese adolescents. The results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Milan on Sept 30. Sciwind is now running a phase 3 trial in adolescents, while HK Inno.N runs a domestic phase 3 in obesity and diabetes.
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HK Inno.N said on Oct 6 that its Chinese partner Sciwind Biosciences presented phase 1b results for the GLP-1 obesity drug eknoglutide in obese adolescents at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Milan on Sept 30. In the 20-week trial, body weight fell 10.4% to 12.1% in the treatment groups, while the placebo group gained 1.2%, the company said. [ 3 , 4 ]
The trial enrolled 48 obese Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 17, who were randomized to eknoglutide 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg or to placebo for 20 weeks. BMI in the treatment groups fell 11.2% to 12.6% from baseline, with no significant change in the placebo group, according to the two detailed reports. The reports also said waist and neck circumference decreased in treated participants and that HbA1c, triglycerides and blood pressure showed trends of improvement versus placebo. Safety and tolerability were generally good and pharmacokinetics were similar to adult studies, the company said, adding that Sciwind is now running a phase 3 trial in adolescents. [ 3 , 4 ]
Eknoglutide is described as a cAMP-biased GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to improve signalling selectivity; Asia Economy called it the world’s first such agent. HK Inno.N licensed the drug from Sciwind in 2024 and is running a domestic phase 3 trial for obesity and diabetes. [ 3 , 4 ]
Fu Junfen, a professor at the Children’s Hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, said that treating adolescent obesity requires assessing not only weight loss but also safety and effects on growth and development, and that the ongoing phase 3 trial will examine efficacy and safety more closely. HK Inno.N chief executive Kwak Dal-won called the results “a meaningful achievement” confirming the drug’s potential in adolescent obesity and said the company is reviewing development strategies from several angles to give domestic patients more options. [ 3 , 4 ]
The outlets differed in emphasis: Korea Economic Daily’s headline gave the up-to-12.1% weight reduction, and Newsis said the drug met major endpoints in the adolescent trial. The documents that carry trial details do not name or quantify those primary endpoints. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The data point to a possible expansion of GLP-1 obesity treatment from adults to adolescents, a group where treatments are limited and where effects on growth and development need assessment. For HK Inno.N, which licensed the drug from Sciwind in 2024, the adolescent results come ahead of its own phase 3 work in Korea. The documents give no regulatory timeline, so any market impact remains speculative.
Key facts
- HK Inno.N said phase 1b results for eknoglutide in obese adolescents showed weight loss of up to 12.1% over 20 weeks. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Sciwind Biosciences presented the results at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Milan on Sept 30. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The trial enrolled 48 obese Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 17, randomized to 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg of eknoglutide or placebo for 20 weeks. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Body weight fell 10.4% to 12.1% in treatment groups and rose 1.2% in the placebo group; BMI fell 11.2% to 12.6% from baseline. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Waist and neck circumference decreased and HbA1c, triglycerides and blood pressure tended to improve versus placebo, the company said. [ 3 , 4 ]
- HK Inno.N licensed eknoglutide from Sciwind in 2024 and is running a domestic phase 3 trial in obesity and diabetes. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Eknoglutide is described as a cAMP-biased GLP-1 receptor agonist; Asia Economy called it the world’s first such agent. [ 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- HK Inno.N announced that the adolescent phase 1b trial of eknoglutide showed weight loss of up to 12.1% over 20 weeks. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Sciwind Biosciences presented the phase 1b results at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Milan on Sept 30. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The trial enrolled 48 obese Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 17, assigned to 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg of eknoglutide or placebo for 20 weeks. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Weight decreased 10.4% to 12.1% in the eknoglutide groups and increased 1.2% in the placebo group. [ 3 , 4 ]
- HK Inno.N licensed eknoglutide from Sciwind Biosciences in 2024 and is conducting a domestic phase 3 trial for obesity and diabetes. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Sciwind is running a phase 3 trial of eknoglutide in adolescents. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Newsis reported that the drug “met major endpoints” in the adolescent trial, but the documents do not name or quantify the primary endpoints of the phase 1b study. The claim appears only in one outlet’s headline and is not detailed in the other reports, which focus on weight and BMI changes.
- Long-term safety and effects on growth and development in adolescents are not established. The cited researcher said these need comprehensive evaluation and that the ongoing phase 3 will examine efficacy and safety more closely.
- Whether the phase 1b results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal is not stated. The documents describe a conference presentation only.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Korea Economic Daily publishes a report that the HK Inno.N obesity drug reduced weight by up to 12.1% in an adolescent trial. [ 1 ]
- Newsis publishes a report saying HK Inno.N’s obesity drug met major endpoints in the adolescent trial. [ 2 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily publishes detailed phase 1b results, including trial size, dosing and efficacy figures. [ 3 ]
- Asia Economy publishes its report on the same results, including company and researcher statements. [ 4 ]