Novo Nordisk’s UBT251 Phase II Delivers 2.16% HbA1c Drop, 9.8% Weight Loss
Novo Nordisk’s experimental once-weekly GLP-1/GIP/glucagon injection UBT251 reduced HbA1c by 2.16% and delivered 9.8% weight loss at 24 weeks in Phase II Chinese trial, exceeding semaglutide 1 mg’s 1.77% and 4.8% results. Deutsche Bank’s DKK 275 price target and hold rating note oral Wegovy prescriptions as a positive ahead of Lilly’s orforglipron launch.
1. UBT251 Phase II Efficacy
Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly UBT251 phase II trial in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrated a 2.16% reduction in HbA1c and 9.8% weight loss at 24 weeks, surpassing semaglutide 1 mg’s 1.77% and 4.8% results on a cross-trial basis.
2. Analyst Ratings and Price Target
Deutsche Bank set a DKK 275 price target and maintained a hold rating, while Citi kept a neutral stance, flagging that current clinical data are encouraging but unlikely to upend existing market leaders in the near term.
3. Oral Wegovy Prescription Trends
Recent prescription data for oral Wegovy showed a modest uptick, indicating the pill could sustain market share against upcoming oral GLP-1 rivals such as Lilly’s orforglipron, though analysts caution that full commercial impact remains to be seen.
4. Upcoming Obesity Trial Readout
The next pivotal milestone is the obesity trial readout from the TRIUMPH programme, expected around mid-2026, when UBT251 will be directly compared with Lilly’s retatrutide in triple-pathway efficacy.