China’s biweekly GLP-1 injection shows promise in diabetes and weight control.

Bofanglutide delivers strong results with fewer injections compared to semaglutide.

A new diabetes treatment developed in China could reshape how patients manage both blood sugar and weight. Bofanglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist created by Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals in Beijing, has shown encouraging results in a recent clinical trial. Unlike existing GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide, which require weekly injections, bofanglutide is administered once every two weeks, potentially cutting injection frequency in half.

The Phase 2b study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, enrolled 272 adults with type 2 diabetes across China. Participants were divided into five groups: three received varying doses of bofanglutide every two weeks, one received a weekly dose of the drug, and the final group received semaglutide weekly. Over 24 weeks, researchers tracked changes in blood sugar, weight, and overall safety.

The results were striking. Patients on bofanglutide experienced significant reductions in HbA1c, a key marker of long-term blood sugar control. Depending on the dose, HbA1c levels dropped between 1.87% and 2.32%, slightly outperforming semaglutide’s 1.60% reduction. Beyond glucose control, participants also saw meaningful weight loss, smaller waistlines, and improvements in cholesterol, triglycerides, and liver health indicators.

One of the most appealing aspects of bofanglutide is convenience. By requiring only biweekly injections, the drug could ease the treatment burden for patients, improving adherence without sacrificing effectiveness. This reduced frequency may prove especially valuable for individuals who struggle with the weekly dosing routine.

Safety outcomes were generally positive. No severe hypoglycemia or deaths were reported during the trial. As with other GLP-1 therapies, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were the most common complaints. These occurred slightly more often in the bofanglutide groups than in the semaglutide group, but were typically mild and temporary.

GLP-1 drugs work by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar is high, suppressing glucagon (which raises blood sugar), slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. This combination not only improves diabetes management but also supports weight loss, making it highly sought after in both endocrinology and obesity care.

While the findings are promising, bofanglutide remains in development. Larger Phase 3 trials will be needed to confirm its long-term safety and effectiveness before regulatory approval. If successful, this biweekly therapy could become a convenient alternative to existing GLP-1 treatments, offering patients fewer injections with equal or greater benefits.