ALDERIA INTELLIGENCE
← All signals
ClinicalTrials2 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 7/10i

A Phase 3, Randomised, Double-blind, Parallel-group, 76-week, Efficacy and Safety Study of BI 456906 Administered Subcutaneously Compared With Placebo in Participants With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim's survodutide (BI 456906) is being tested in a placebo-controlled phase 3 trial for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. The 76-week study enrolled 755 participants randomized 2:1 active to placebo, measuring percentage weight loss and achievement of ≥5% weight reduction. This positions Boehringer as a potential third major player in the GLP-1 obesity market, currently dominated by Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound. The trial completion in December 2025 could establish survodutide as another weekly injectable option for people with diabetes and obesity.

Strategic signal

Boehringer's survodutide represents the first major challenge to the Novo-Lilly duopoly in GLP-1 obesity therapy, with results due in late 2025. This timing creates a window before oral formulations mature, potentially allowing Boehringer to capture market share while Novo and Lilly focus on next-generation assets. The diabetes-obesity combination population mirrors successful positioning by both incumbents, suggesting payers may welcome a third option to drive competitive pricing. If survodutide matches incumbent efficacy, Boehringer could leverage its established diabetes relationships to accelerate uptake.

GLP-1Weight lossType 2 diabetesBoehringer Ingelheim

Original Abstract

This study is open to adults who are at least 18 years old and have a body mass index of 27 kg/m² or more. People can take part if they have type 2 diabetes and if they are currently being treated only with diet and exercise or with specific diabetes medications. Only people who have previously not managed to lose weight by changing their diet can participate. The purpose of this study is to find out whether a medicine called survodutide (BI 456906) helps people living with overweight or obesity who also have diabetes to lose weight. Participants are divided into 3 groups by chance, like drawing names from a hat. 2 groups get different doses of survodutide and 1 group gets placebo. Placebo looks like survodutide but does not contain any medicine. Every participant has a 2 in 3 chance of getting survodutide. Participants inject survodutide or placebo under their skin once a week for about one and a half years. In addition to the study medicine, all participants receive counselling to make changes to their diet and to exercise regularly. Participants are in the study for about 1 year and 7 months. During this time, it is planned that participants visit the study site up to 14 times and receive 6 phone calls by the site staff. The doctors check participants' health and take note of any unwanted effects. The study staff also regularly measure participants' body weight. The results are compared between the groups to see whether the treatment works. | Condition(s): Obesity; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 | Primary endpoint(s): Percentage change in body weight from baseline to Week 76; Achievement of body weight reduction ≥5% (yes/no) from baseline to Week 76 | Enrollment: 755 (actual) | Phase: Phase 3 | Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim | Expected completion: 2025-12-12 | Status: Active Not Recruiting | Last update: 2026-04-02

Related signals

FDA1 Apr 2026·New Drug Approval (NDA/BLA)● 10/10iHigh impact

FDA Approves Foundayo (Orforglipron) — New Drug Approval (NDA/BLA)

FDA approved orforglipron (Foundayo, Eli Lilly) for type 2 diabetes -- a once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. Orforglipron is the first non-peptide oral GLP-1 approved in the US; oral semaglutide (Rybelsus, Novo Nordisk) has been approved for T2D since 2019 and expanded to obesity in January 2026. Unlike Rybelsus, orforglipron requires no fasting or water volume restrictions before dosing.

GLP-1Type 2 diabetesPricing/accessEli LillyNovo Nordisk
ClinicalTrials19 Mar 2026·Phase 3● 9/10iHigh impact

Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide Once Weekly in Participants Without Type 2 Diabetes Who Have Obesity or Are Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (SURMOUNT-1)

Phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 tests once-weekly tirzepatide at three doses versus placebo in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity or are overweight with comorbidities. The randomized, double-blind trial targets 2,539 participants with primary efficacy assessment at 72 weeks. This represents tirzepatide's pivotal obesity trial against placebo, potentially supporting Eli Lilly's bid to compete directly with Wegovy in the non-diabetic obesity market. A prediabetes subgroup continues long-term to assess diabetes prevention.

Weight lossGLP-1Eli Lilly
ClinicalTrials17 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 8/10iHigh impactPick of the week

The Effect of Semaglutide in Subjects With Non-cirrhotic Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Phase 3 trial evaluates semaglutide versus placebo in adults with non-cirrhotic NASH, measuring steatohepatitis resolution, fibrosis improvement, and cirrhosis-free survival over approximately 5 years. The study enrolled 1,205 adults and is active but not recruiting, with completion expected in 2029. This represents Novo Nordisk's push into NASH, a major unmet need with no approved GLP-1 therapies despite strong preclinical rationale. The trial's dual primary endpoints and 5-year duration suggest preparation for a pivotal regulatory filing in this large addressable market.

GLP-1Liver/NASHNovo Nordisk
ClinicalTrials17 Apr 2026·Phase 3● 8/10iHigh impact

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Retatrutide Once Weekly in Participants Who Have Obesity or Overweight and Chronic Low Back Pain

Phase 3 trial evaluating retatrutide for chronic low back pain in people with obesity or overweight, targeting dual primary endpoints of pain intensity reduction and weight loss. 586-person placebo-controlled study expected to complete September 2027, investigating a novel indication beyond traditional metabolic endpoints. Eli Lilly is exploring pain management as a potential expansion for their triple agonist, representing the first major trial of a GLP-1-based therapy specifically for chronic pain conditions.

GLP-1Weight lossOtherEli Lilly

Weekly briefing

Key signals, decoded for pharma executives and investors. Free, every week.