The Phase 3 DREAMS-3 study found that Innovent’s dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist mazdutide achieved stronger results than semaglutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. After 32 weeks, 48 percent of participants taking mazdutide reached both blood sugar and weight-loss targets, compared with 21 percent on semaglutide 1 mg.

Three physicians offered additional context beyond the company’s announcement and media coverage:

• Dr. Michael Albert noted that mazdutide’s dual action may enhance energy use and liver-fat metabolism, suggesting benefits beyond glucose and weight control.
• Dr. Robert Gabbay described the trial as part of a new comparative-effectiveness era, while cautioning that the study used the 1 mg diabetes dose of semaglutide, not the 2.4 mg dose used for obesity.
• Dr. Martin Haluzík highlighted the trial’s China-only population and pointed out that results may differ at higher semaglutide doses, though he called the findings convincing and a major step forward.

Together, their insights frame DREAMS-3 as more than a single-trial success. It marks a turning point in how next-generation incretin therapies are compared—showing what’s possible when treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity are designed to address both conditions simultaneously.

Sources

Innovent
Fierce Pharma
Michael Albert MD
Robert Gabbay MD
Martin Haluzík MD