Ecnoglutide
Metabolic / Weight LossAlso known as: XW003, Sciwind Biosciences Ecnoglutide
Mechanism
Ecnoglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist in development for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It works similarly to semaglutide by activating GLP-1 receptors to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying, and improve blood sugar control. Its extended duration of action supports once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.
Technical detail
Ecnoglutide (XW003) is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide engineered for extended half-life via Fc fusion or fatty acid acylation technology. It activates GLP-1R on pancreatic beta cells to potentiate glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon from alpha cells, delays gastric emptying through vagal signaling, and activates hypothalamic satiety centers. Pharmacokinetic profile supports weekly subcutaneous administration.
Evidence
- strong
Zhu D et al. (2026) — Nat Commun — PMID: 41501026
EECOH-1 phase 3 data extended evidence that ecnoglutide monotherapy improves type 2 diabetes control versus placebo with multicenter randomized support.
- moderate
Kumar M et al. (2026) — Endocrinol Diabetes Metab — PMID: 41937314
Systematic review/meta-analysis found ecnoglutide shows competitive glucose-lowering efficacy with an adverse-event pattern broadly similar to the GLP-1 class.
- strong
Zhu D et al. (2024) — Nat Commun — PMID: 39333121
Placebo-controlled phase 2 data showed ecnoglutide improved glycemic endpoints with a safety profile consistent with GLP-1 receptor agonism.