Innovent Biologics Inc (HKEX: 01801), a biopharmaceutical company focused on treatment of oncologic, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmologic and other major diseases, announced Thursday that the first participant has been successfully dosed in GLORY-3, a Phase 3 clinical study of mazdutide (Innovent R&D Code: IBI362).

Mazdutide is a dual glucagon (GCG) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) receptor agonist for treating overweight or obesity accompanied metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

GLORY-3 is a multi-centre, randomised, open-label Phase 3 clinical study comparing the efficacy and safety of mazdutide versus semaglutide in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity accompanied MAFLD. The study is planned to enrol approximately 470 participants, randomised 1:1 to receive mazdutide 9 mg or semaglutide 2.4 mg.

Innovent has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) for the development and potential commercialisation of OXM3 (mazdutide), which may offer additional benefits beyond those of GLP-1 receptor agonists -- such as promoting insulin secretion, lowering blood glucose and reducing body weight -- by activating the glucagon receptor to increase energy expenditure and improve hepatic fat metabolism.