HQ Team
March 25, 2026: Novo Nordisk A/S and United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) mid-stage trials, held in China, helped in reducing average blood sugar levels by up to 2.16% in diabetic patients and trimmed weight by almost 10%, according to a statement.
A total of 211 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (managed with lifestyle intervention alone or in combination with metformin) was involved in the trial. At baseline, the patients had a mean HbA1C of 8.12%, a mean body weight of 80.1 kg, and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.1 kg/m².
Patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of an investigational drug called UBT251 in doses of 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg or placebo, or semaglutide 1 mg for 24 weeks.
The primary endpoint of the trial was the change in HbA1C from baseline after 24 weeks of treatment.
The highest mean HbA1C reduction observed for people treated with the experimental UBT251 was 2.16% compared to 1.77% for the semaglutide 1 mg group and 0.66% for the placebo group after 24 weeks of treatment.
Waist circumference
From a baseline mean body weight of 80.1 kg and a mean BMI of 29.1 kg/m², the mean body weight reduction in the UBT251 groups was up to 9.8% compared with 4.8% in the semaglutide 1 mg group and 1.4% in the placebo group, according to the Novo Nordisk statement.
UBT251 also showed improvements relative to placebo on key secondary endpoints, including waist circumference, blood pressure and lipids. The safety and tolerability profile of UBT251 appeared consistent with what has been observed in other clinical trials with triple-G agonists.
It is being jointly developed by TUL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co., Ltd. (United Biotechnology) and Novo Nordisk under an agreement signed in March 2025. United Biotechnology is responsible for development in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, while Novo Nordisk is responsible for development in the rest of the world.
A new type of medicine (a lab-made long-acting peptide), UBT251, works like a “triple activator.” It simultaneously targets and activates three important hormones in your body — GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1), GIP (Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and Glucagon.
It is a single injection that mimics and boosts three natural gut and pancreatic hormones simultaneously or a super-powered version of the current GLP-1 drugs (like semaglutide), with two extra hormone effects added in.
Advance end-stage China trials
The three hormones together help in controlling blood sugar (by increasing insulin when needed and lowering glucagon when not needed), reduce appetite and make you feel full and may increase energy burning (because of the glucagon part).
“The success of the phase 2 trial for UBT251 in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes marks a significant milestone in the innovative development of TUL,” said Tsoi Hoi Shan, Chairman of TUL. “We will fully advance the phase 3 trial in China, committed to providing superior treatment options for patients worldwide.”
Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president, chief scientific officer and head of Research and Development at Novo Nordisk, said: “Novo Nordisk will initiate a global phase 2 trial with UBT251 in people with type 2 diabetes later this year, and we are already conducting a global phase 2 trial in weight management that will read out next year.”
Novo Nordisk’s recently initiated global phase 1b/2a trial is investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different doses of UBT251 for up to 28 weeks in around 330 people living with overweight or obesity.
Data from that trial is expected in 2027. Novo Nordisk expects to initiate the global phase 2 trial with UBT251 in people with type 2 diabetes in the second half of 2026.
