Seeking to bolster its presence in the Chinese market, Pfizer has entered into a strategic agreement worth up to $495 million with Hangzhou-based Sciwind Biosciences for the exclusive commercialization rights of ecnoglutide in Mainland China. This next-generation injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist was approved for type 2 diabetes in January and is currently under regulatory review for chronic weight management.
Clinical data revealed that ecnoglutide delivered impressive results, with a 15.1% placebo-adjusted weight loss. Additionally, nearly 93% of patients achieved clinically meaningful weight loss, and 80% reached HbA1c blood sugar levels below 7%. Under the terms, Sciwind will remain responsible for R&D, manufacturing, and supply, while Pfizer leverages its commercial infrastructure to market the drug.
This move signals a significant strategic shift for Pfizer after scrapping its internal obesity pipeline last year. By acquiring Metsera for $10 billion and partnering with Chinese firms like Sciwind and Yao Pharma, Pfizer is aggressively building a robust metabolic portfolio. The company’s ambition is to compete directly with giants like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the high-growth sector of chronic weight management and metabolic therapies.