Washington – Results from an international clinical trial show that a new oral drug for type 2 diabetes effectively lowers blood sugar levels and leads to significant weight loss. The drug could provide patients with an easier alternative to injectable treatments.
Researchers, led by Mass General Brigham in the United States, said the new medication may expand options for people with type 2 diabetes. The study was published in The Lancet.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. It occurs when the body cannot use insulin properly or does not produce enough, leading to high blood sugar and increased risks of complications such as heart, kidney, nerve, and eye problems.
The researchers tested a new drug called licoglifron, an oral medication still in development. It belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which includes several drugs already used to treat diabetes and obesity.
Licoglifron mimics the effect of the natural GLP-1 hormone by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar rises. It also reduces production of glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar, slows stomach emptying, and increases feelings of fullness. These effects help control weight and improve blood sugar management.
The trial included 406 people with type 2 diabetes in nine countries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive different doses of the drug or a placebo.
After 26 weeks of treatment, up to 72.3% of those taking the drug lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 20.2% in the placebo group. The drug also improved blood sugar control. Up to 89.6% of those who took licoglifron achieved an HbA1c level below 7%—the recommended target for most diabetes patients—while only 24.9% of the placebo group reached this goal.
Researchers highlighted that the drug is taken as a pill, unlike most GLP-1 therapies that require injections. This could make treatment easier for patients in the future.