Vincentage Pharma Announces Positive Top-Line Data from Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Oral GLP-1 RA VCT220 in Obese or Overweight Chinese Adults

(SeaPRwire) –   CHENGDU, China, May 18, 2026 — Vincentage Pharma Co., Ltd. (referred to as “the Company”) today reported favorable top-line outcomes from its crucial Phase 3 study of VCT220, an investigational, once-daily oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) developed in-house, for individuals in China who are overweight or obese. The Company intends to file a New Drug Application (NDA) for VCT220 for weight management with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) shortly.

The Phase 3 study (NCT06939296) included 840 adults who were either obese (BMI ≥28 kg/m²) or overweight (24 kg/m² ≤ BMI <28 kg/m²) and had at least one weight-related co-existing condition. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive VCT220 at 120 mg, VCT220 at 160 mg, or a placebo once daily over a 52-week period.

After 52 weeks, VCT220 led to average body weight reductions of -12.2% and -12.4% in the 120 mg and 160 mg cohorts, respectively, both showing a statistically significant improvement compared to the -1.3% observed with placebo. Throughout the 52-week double-blind treatment phase, VCT220 exhibited good overall tolerability, with a safety profile comparable to currently available GLP-1 treatments. The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal in nature and typically ranged from mild to moderate. No instances of severe nausea or vomiting were documented. Gastrointestinal adverse events (GIAEs) predominantly arose during the initial dose escalation phase and progressively diminished during the maintenance phase. Discontinuation rates attributed to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were minimal, at 1.8% for both the 120 mg and 160 mg groups. No signs of liver safety concerns were detected.

“VCT220 is an oral, non-peptide small-molecule GLP-1 RA developed internally, formulated for once-daily use without dietary or fluid limitations, featuring a dose titration period as brief as six weeks and no need for refrigeration or protection from light,” stated Ben Li, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vincentage. “We are confident that VCT220 could offer a more convenient, readily available, and enduring treatment alternative compared to injectable therapies for individuals who are obese or overweight, potentially enhancing treatment initiation and sustained adherence. Given these encouraging results, we intend to submit an NDA to China’s NMPA soon for chronic weight management, aiming to make VCT220 available to those who require it as quickly as possible. Beyond these initial uses, we are advancing the clinical development of VCT220 for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiometabolic conditions linked to obesity, and anticipate the U.S. Phase 2 results for CX11, the globally developed iteration of VCT220 spearheaded by our collaborator, Corxel Pharmaceuticals, later this year.”

“VCT220 represents the second oral non-peptide small-molecule GLP-1 RA worldwide to conclude a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for obesity treatment and be prepared for NDA submission, after Eli Lilly’s orforglipron,” commented Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and the lead investigator for the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 clinical trials of VCT220. “We are delighted that the Phase 3 trial of VCT220 successfully achieved its primary objectives, showing weight reduction similar to approved oral GLP-1 therapies and a positive tolerability profile. I am immensely proud to have contributed to the complete clinical development of this innovative, non-peptide GLP-1 RA, featuring a completely novel molecular structure, independently created by a Chinese pharmaceutical firm. The successful advancement of VCT220 not only broadens China’s options for obesity treatment but also holds the promise, via Corxel Pharmaceuticals’ international clinical development initiatives, to provide more weight management choices globally. Based on the notable improvements in blood pressure observed in both Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials, we have already commenced clinical studies investigating VCT220 for hypertension treatment.”

Regarding the Study

The crucial Phase 3 study for VCT220 commenced in November 2024. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigation aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of VCT220 tablets in Chinese participants who were overweight or obese. The study enrolled 840 adults diagnosed with obesity (BMI ≥28 kg/m²) or who were overweight (24 kg/m² ≤ BMI <28 kg/m²) and presented with at least one weight-related co-existing condition. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either VCT220 120 mg, VCT220 160 mg, or a placebo once daily for 52 weeks.

About VCT220

VCT220 is an oral, non-peptide small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist formulated for once-daily intake, free from restrictions on food or water, specific dosing times, refrigeration, or light protection. VCT220 holds the promise of offering a more convenient, readily available, and enduring treatment choice for adults who are overweight or obese, potentially enhancing treatment uptake and sustained compliance. Beyond obesity, Vincentage is investigating VCT220 for its potential in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiometabolic conditions.

In November 2024, Corxel Pharmaceuticals, a prominent global biotechnology firm dedicated to delivering novel medications to individuals with cardiometabolic ailments, secured the global development and commercialization rights for VCT220, excluding Greater China (mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan). Corxel Pharmaceuticals is presently evaluating VCT220, designated as CX11, in a Phase 2 clinical trial for obesity in the U.S. and a global Phase 2 clinical trial for type 2 diabetes.

About Vincentage Pharma

Since its inception in 2021, Chengdu Vincentage Pharma Co., Ltd. has concentrated on identifying and advancing novel treatments for metabolic disorders. Addressing significant unmet clinical requirements in obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the Company has cultivated a distinct pipeline primarily focused on oral small-molecule therapies. Utilizing its proven small-molecule drug discovery and development platform, the Company persistently broadens its product range, encompassing various metabolic pathways. Vincentage is dedicated to creating a comprehensive approach that includes weight management, metabolic enhancement, and sustained health management, while consistently bolstering its competitive standing in the worldwide metabolic disease sector.

Media Contact
Miles Zhang
bd@vincentage.com