Beinaglutide for weight management in Chinese individuals with overweight or obesity: A phase 3 randomized controlled clinical study

Aim: To investigate the efficacy and safety of beinaglutide as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention among non-diabetic Chinese individuals with overweight or obesity.Methods: This multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ChiCTR1900023428) included 427 Chinese adults with a body mass index of 28 kg/m(2) or higher (obesity) or 24-27.9 kg/m(2) (overweight) with weight-related complications. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive 0.2 mg of beinaglutide (subcutaneous) thrice daily or placebo for 16 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were body weight change and the proportion of patients with a weight reduction of 5% or more.Results: Mean body weight change from baseline to week 16 was -6.0% and -2.4% in the beinaglutide (n = 282) and placebo (n = 138) groups, respectively; the mixed model repeated measures difference was -3.6% (95% confidence interval: -4.6% to -2.6%; P < .0001). At week 16, more beinaglutide-treated patients achieved a weight reduction of 5% or more (58.2% vs. 25.4% [placebo], odds ratio: 4.4; P < .0001) and of 10% or more (21.3% vs. 5.1% [placebo], odds ratio: 5.5; P < .0001). Beinaglutide also resulted in greater waist circumference reduction (difference: -1.81 cm; P < .01). The weight regain rate 12 weeks after beinaglutide treatment was 0.78%. Nausea (transient and mild-to-moderate) was the most common adverse event in the beinaglutide group (49.3% vs. 7.1% [placebo]). More patients receiving beinaglutide discontinued treatment because of adverse events (5.9% vs. 0.7% [placebo]). Pancreatitis or an increased resting heart rate was not observed in the beinaglutide group.Conclusion: Beinaglutide combined with lifestyle intervention resulted in significant and clinically meaningful weight reduction with good tolerance in non-diabetic Chinese individuals with overweight or obesity.