Once-Weekly Drug Demonstrates Promising Dual Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Health
New data highlight the potential benefits of survodutide, a once-weekly injectable therapy that targets both the glucagon and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors in individuals with obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), commonly referred to as fatty liver disease. Researchers presented this data during the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New Orleans.
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease affecting approximately 2 in 5 U.S. adults, and it is linked to serious long-term health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver diseases like MASLD. If left untreated, MASLD can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which can result in permanent liver scarring, cirrhosis, liver failure, and an increased risk of liver cancer. There is a significant unmet need for effective treatment options that not only focus on weight management but also improve overall metabolic health.
The SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical study, evaluated the efficacy of survodutide in helping adults with overweight or obesity—as well as those with type 2 diabetes—lose weight. According to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the weekly injectable led to significant and sustained weight loss, with participants shedding up to 16.6% of their body weight without losing muscle mass. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in visceral fat reductions of up to 34% and liver fat reductions of up to 63.1%, indicating its potential to improve liver health in obese individuals at risk of MASH.
Carel le Roux, MD, PhD, the lead author of the study, emphasized the need for treatments that enhance overall metabolic health in addition to weight loss. "Improving metabolic health is about more than weight loss alone; it can help reduce the risk of serious complications linked to obesity," le Roux said.
The SYNCHRONIZE-MASLD trial examined adults with excess weight or obesity who also have MASLD/MASH. Participants received varying doses of survodutide or a placebo over one year. The trial, as published in Nature Medicine, provides evidence that survodutide may selectively reduce both visceral and liver fat, addressing the underlying factors of metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity and MASLD/MASH.
Researchers are continuing to advance the phase III SYNCHRONIZE trial, with plans for future studies focusing on obesity, liver health, and cardiovascular outcomes, while also investigating real-world treatment options for underserved populations, including women and those living with MASLD/MASH.