Summary
Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly dual agonist of the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors, studied for obesity and fatty liver disease. In the phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial, adults without diabetes lost 16.6% of body weight at the 6.0 mg dose among those who stayed on treatment.
How it works
Survodutide is weighted more heavily toward the glucagon receptor than most dual agonists. That is meant to drive liver fat oxidation, which is why it has been studied in MASH as well as obesity.
Research use cases
Areas where Survodutide has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.
- Obesity and overweight (phase 3)
- MASH with liver fibrosis (phase 3)
- Type 2 diabetes with obesity (phase 3)
What the research found
MASH phase 2
In adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and fibrosis, up to 83% of those on survodutide showed improvement in MASH without worsening of fibrosis at 48 weeks, versus 18% on placebo.1
Obesity phase 2
In 387 adults, weight loss reached 18.7% at 46 weeks among participants who completed the highest-dose regimen.2
Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 and -2 (2026)
In adults without diabetes, mean weight loss was 15.3% (3.6 mg) and 16.6% (6.0 mg) versus 3.2% with placebo, on the efficacy estimand. In adults with type 2 diabetes, weight loss reached 13.1% at 76 weeks. GI-related discontinuations were around 18 to 20%.3
Safety and open questions
Gastrointestinal effects are common and led to a notable share of discontinuations in trials, mostly during dose escalation. Heart-rate increases have been observed.
Regulatory status
Investigational (Boehringer Ingelheim with Zealand Pharma). Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE results reported in 2026. Not approved.
Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.
Survodutide: common questions
Why is survodutide studied for liver disease?
Glucagon receptors are concentrated in the liver, and activating them increases fat breakdown there. The phase 2 MASH trial showed large improvements in liver histology, and phase 3 liver trials are ongoing.
Is Survodutide approved for human use?
Investigational (Boehringer Ingelheim with Zealand Pharma). Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE results reported in 2026. Not approved.
References
- Sanyal AJ, Bedossa P, Fraessdorf M, et al. (2024). A Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Survodutide in MASH and Fibrosis. New England Journal of Medicine.
- le Roux CW, Steen O, Lucas KJ, et al. (2024). Glucagon and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist survodutide for obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
- Boehringer Ingelheim (2026). SYNCHRONIZE-1 and SYNCHRONIZE-2 phase 3 results (EASD 2026 presentation and company announcements). Press release.
Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.