Clinical trials show AstraZeneca’s oral GLP‑1 drug elecoglipron produced substantial weight loss—about 12% on average over eight months, with the 75 mg dose delivering roughly two stone by 36 weeks. The multicountry Vista trial and a separate diabetes study also found improvements in blood pressure, inflammation and glucose control. Elecoglipron does not require strict fasting before dosing and is moving into phase III testing while awaiting regulatory review in the UK.
Daily Oral GLP‑1 Pill Elecoglipron Cuts Weight By Around Two Stone in Eight Months, Trials Show
The new weight-loss pill has been developed by AstraZeneca - Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters
New clinical trials indicate that a once‑daily oral GLP‑1 pill, elecoglipron (AstraZeneca), can produce substantial weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic markers. The drug belongs to a new generation of glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) receptor agonists that mimic gut hormones to slow digestion and reduce appetite.
The multicountry Vista trial—published in The Lancet—enrolled more than 300 adults from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, the UK and the US. Participants were classified as overweight or obese (mean starting weight 16st 11lb, ~235 lb / 107 kg) and the majority were female. Half received elecoglipron and half received placebo.
Results from the Vista trial returned remarkable results - Guido Mieth
At the highest tested dose (75 mg once daily), elecoglipron produced an average weight reduction of 10.5% at 26 weeks versus 0.6% for placebo. By 36 weeks the treated group’s mean weight loss increased to 11.8%—equivalent to roughly two stone (around 12% of body weight).
Cardiometabolic Benefits
Investigators also observed modest improvements in blood pressure and blood markers of systemic inflammation among participants taking elecoglipron.
Researchers said the new generation of weight-loss pills could help to keep people slim for life - Moment RF
Type 2 Diabetes Study
A separate US trial enrolled more than 400 people with type 2 diabetes and a body mass index (BMI) > 23. In that study, participants randomized to the 75 mg dose lost an average of 7.7% of body weight at 26 weeks compared with 1.7% for placebo, and showed improvements in glucose control.
Professor Melanie Davies, principal investigator on the Vista trial, said the results show potential for once‑daily oral elecoglipron to deliver meaningful weight loss and reduce obesity‑related complications.
How It Compares And What’s Next
Elecoglipron works similarly to injectable GLP‑1 therapies but in pill form, which may appeal to people who prefer to avoid injections. Unlike some earlier oral GLP‑1 formulations, elecoglipron does not require strict fasting or dosing long before meals. AstraZeneca has advanced the medicine into phase III trials; the pill has launched in the US under the brand name Foundayo and is awaiting review by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Important Caveats
The trials reported so far are relatively small and of limited duration; longer follow‑up and larger phase III studies are needed to confirm durability of weight loss, safety and effects on long‑term health outcomes. The Vista cohort was majority female and had a high baseline weight, which should be considered when generalising results.
Bottom Line
Elecoglipron is a promising oral GLP‑1 candidate that produced average weight losses of about 10–12% in early trials, improved some cardiometabolic markers, and is progressing to larger trials and regulatory review.
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