Dragon Pharma — New Era of Metabolic Peptides: Mazdutide, Survodutide and Retatrutide
Dragon Pharma's April 2025 peptide expansion introduced three next-generation metabolic compounds — Mazdutide, Survodutide and Retatrutide — representing the current frontier of multi-receptor agonist peptide pharmacology. Each compound targets multiple metabolic receptors simultaneously, producing greater weight loss and metabolic improvement than single GLP-1 agonists through different receptor combination strategies.
Mazdutide — GLP-1 and Glucagon Dual Agonist
Mazdutide (IBI362, OXM3) is a GLP-1/Glucagon receptor dual agonist developed by Innovent Biologics. The dual mechanism addresses obesity through two complementary pathways: GLP-1R activation produces appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying (reducing energy intake), while Glucagon receptor activation increases hepatic fat oxidation and basal metabolic rate (increasing energy expenditure). Phase II data demonstrates approximately 10-15% body weight reduction — with particularly pronounced visceral fat and hepatic steatosis reduction from the GCGR component. Weekly subcutaneous injection, approximately 168-hour half-life.
Survodutide — GLP-1 and Glucagon Dual Agonist
Survodutide (BI 456906) is a GLP-1/Glucagon receptor dual agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim. Structurally distinct from Mazdutide but sharing the same dual receptor targeting strategy — GLP-1R for appetite suppression and GCGR for energy expenditure. Phase II data demonstrates approximately 18% body weight reduction at maximum dose — exceeding Tirzepatide's Phase II data and approaching Phase III results. Additionally documented for MASLD/MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) — Phase IIa data showed significant liver fat reduction. Weekly subcutaneous injection, approximately 168-hour half-life.
Retatrutide — GIP, GLP-1 and Glucagon Triple Agonist
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is the first-in-class GIP/GLP-1/Glucagon triple receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly. Adding GIP receptor agonism to the GLP-1/Glucagon dual agonist strategy produces three simultaneous mechanisms: GLP-1R appetite suppression, GIPR insulin sensitivity and adipose metabolism improvement, and GCGR energy expenditure increase. Phase II TRIUMPH trial at 48 weeks demonstrated 24.2% body weight reduction at 12mg/week — the highest documented weight loss of any obesity peptide in clinical development. 83% of participants achieved ≥15% body weight reduction; 55% achieved ≥25%. Currently in Phase III TRIUMPH trials. Note: Retatrutide is available on dragonpharmaceutical.com for registered users.
Why Multi-Receptor Agonism Outperforms Single GLP-1 Agonists
The progression from single GLP-1 agonism (semaglutide) to dual agonism (Tirzepatide, Mazdutide, Survodutide) to triple agonism (Retatrutide) demonstrates a consistent pharmacological principle: each additional receptor target adds a mechanistically distinct weight loss contribution that is additive to the GLP-1 component. Single GLP-1 agonists reduce intake only; dual agonists add either insulin sensitisation (GIP) or energy expenditure increase (Glucagon); triple agonists add both simultaneously. The clinical weight loss data reflects this hierarchy: ~15% (semaglutide) → ~20-22% (Tirzepatide) → ~18% (Survodutide) → ~24% (Retatrutide).