A dual-acting drug called survodutide has shown significant weight loss results in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to phase 3 trial data presented at a major European diabetes conference.
Results from the SYNCHRONIZE-2 trial were shared at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2026 conference. The study tested survodutide — an investigational drug that activates two hormone receptors at once, targeting both the glucagon receptor and the GLP-1 receptor (the same pathway used by widely prescribed weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide) — against a placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The trial involved adults living with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, which published the full results, participants receiving survodutide achieved significant reductions in body weight compared with those on placebo.
Dual agonists work by mimicking two gut hormones at the same time. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) slows digestion and reduces appetite; glucagon raises blood sugar between meals and may increase the amount of energy the body burns. Combining both actions in a single drug is an approach researchers hope could deliver greater weight loss than single-target medicines alone.
The trial was phase 3 — the large-scale human testing stage that typically precedes an application for regulatory approval. A double-blind, placebo-controlled design means neither participants nor researchers knew who received the active drug, which reduces the risk of bias in the results.
Survodutide is not yet approved for use in the UK. Patients already taking GLP-1 medicines or concerned about their weight or diabetes management should speak to their GP rather than waiting for emerging treatments.
For general health queries, contact NHS 111. People with diabetes can also seek advice from Diabetes UK’s helpline on 0345 123 2399.
Source: @NEJM