Innovent Biologics revealed that Mazdutide, used to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes and coexisting obesity, showed superior efficacy compared to the popular Ozempic (Semaglutide 1 mg) by Novo Nordisk. In a clinical study of 349 adult patients, those receiving Mazdutide experienced an average 10.29% weight reduction, while the Ozempic group lost 6%. The drug also demonstrated better glycemic control — a 2.03% reduction in HbA1C compared to 1.84% for Ozempic.
This result is particularly significant in the context of the Chinese GLP-1 drug market, where Innovent is expanding aggressively to compete with major players like Novo Nordisk. Mazdutide is already approved in China for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is currently being studied for obesity management.
For patients, these findings suggest potentially more effective treatment options — greater weight loss and improved blood glucose control could help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications and obesity-linked diseases. Especially in China, where rates of diabetes and overweight individuals are growing rapidly, access to a more efficient medication could have a measurable public health impact.
For patients outside China, the development may also signal the arrival of competitive alternatives sooner rather than later — possibly driving lower prices and broader treatment choices. However, questions remain about Mazdutide’s international availability and regulatory approval beyond China.
If Mazdutide’s higher efficacy is independently confirmed, it poses a serious challenge to Novo Nordisk, which has so far dominated the GLP-1 and obesity treatment segments. At the same time, Innovent and its partners (including Eli Lilly) could gain a strong foothold in one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical markets — potentially reshaping the global landscape of diabetes and obesity therapies.
However, Mazdutide’s success doesn’t automatically make it a perfect drug or a clear replacement for Ozempic. Questions remain about its long-term safety, global accessibility, and whether clinical results from Chinese trials will translate effectively to real-world practice in other regions.
For the pharmaceutical market, this mainly introduces pricing pressure — more effective therapies mean lower access barriers, but also greater competition and reduced profit margins. Still, that’s good news for consumers, especially those hoping for cheaper alternatives to Ozempic.
