A multidisciplinary session at the DIA China 2026 Drug Information Conference and Exhibition took place on May 14, 2026. Titled 'Beyond Weight Loss in Obesity: Driving Innovation and Regulatory Excellence for a Healthier Future,' it addressed global challenges in obesity and related chronic diseases, with discussions of innovative-drug development, clinical evaluation and regulatory science.
Professor Qinghua Wang, a nationally appointed expert and Distinguished Professor at Fudan University, was invited to speak in the round table on current issues in obesity-drug development. Chaired by Shen Shuyi, Head of Clinical Science at Roche's China drug-development centre, the panel brought together clinicians and representatives of multinational and Chinese innovative pharmaceutical companies to discuss the development and clinical value of next-generation obesity treatments.
The round-table discussion
Participants said obesity treatment was shifting from an emphasis on total weight loss toward body composition, visceral-fat reduction, muscle preservation, long-term tolerability and comprehensive cardiovascular, renal and metabolic benefits. In view of characteristics seen in Chinese populations, including relatively low BMI, high visceral fat and elevated fatty-liver risk, future development and evaluation should capture metabolic benefits more precisely. Evidence on hard cardiovascular, renal and other outcomes would also support long-term management, reimbursement access and patient access.
Professor Wang said future weight-management medicines should achieve the right kind of weight loss and sustain it, as well as increasing its magnitude. Muscle is an important endocrine and metabolic organ involved directly in glucose and lipid regulation; reducing fat while preserving muscle and metabolism should therefore be an important development goal for Chinese populations. He recommended making visceral-fat improvement, fatty-liver improvement and muscle preservation core outcomes in Chinese obesity trials. Continued refinement of molecular mechanisms and administration could reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects, improve adherence and move obesity care from short-term weight loss to long-term chronic-disease management.
Professor Wang is also Innogen's Founder, Chairman and CEO. The company develops and commercialises innovative medicines for metabolic diseases, with a pipeline centred on efsubaglutide alfa that considers the characteristics of Chinese populations and unmet needs worldwide. Efsubaglutide alfa is an independently developed human, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in mainland China and Macau for type 2 diabetes. Clinical development in obesity, MASH and other indications is under way internationally. For people with obesity or overweight, the company is systematically evaluating its potential in weight management, body composition and metabolic fat accumulation.
In a Chinese Phase IIb study in obesity and overweight, the 20 mg once-weekly group had an approximately 45% increase in the muscle-to-fat ratio and an approximately 50% reduction in liver-fat content. The report interprets these observations as potential for further development targeting fat reduction, muscle preservation and abnormal fat accumulation. Early studies also found a half-life of approximately 280 hours in people with obesity, providing a pharmacokinetic basis for exploring longer dosing intervals. At the time, Innogen was conducting a Phase II study in Australia to further assess the feasibility of once-monthly administration.
Professor Wang said global obesity treatment was entering a phase focused on the quality of weight loss and long-term benefit. Innogen would continue to draw on the characteristics of Chinese populations and unmet clinical needs, coordinating original drug development, clinical evidence and international registration to contribute Chinese innovation to obesity and metabolic-disease treatment worldwide.
Note: Efsubaglutide alfa is currently approved for type 2 diabetes. Obesity and weight-management indications remain in clinical development and have not received marketing approval. This content communicates corporate research developments and industry information; it is not a medicine advertisement, treatment recommendation or promise of efficacy. Prescription medicines should be purchased with a doctor's prescription and used under medical supervision.
About Innogen
Founded in 2014, Innogen (HK.2591) develops and commercialises innovative medicines for metabolic diseases. The company describes its independently developed pipeline as covering T1D, obesity, MASH, AD and other indications, with global intellectual property and patent coverage. Its lead product, efsubaglutide alfa, is a new-generation human, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in mainland China and Macau for type 2 diabetes and included in the 2025 National Basic Medical Insurance, Maternity Insurance and Work Injury Insurance Drug List. The company has entered international development and registration and aims to offer better treatment choices to patients worldwide. More information: www.innogenpharm.com