AstraZeneca Oral GLP-1 Drug Elecoglipron Shows 10.5 Percent Weight Loss in Phase 2 Trials

AstraZeneca's oral GLP-1 medication elecoglipron produced an average weight loss of 10.5 percent in phase 2b clinical trials, according to results reported by Healthline in June 2026. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that pill-based GLP-1 drugs can deliver meaningful weight loss without the need for weekly injections.

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. Injectable versions, including semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound), have become widely used for both diabetes management and weight loss. An oral option could make the treatment accessible to patients who are unwilling or unable to self-inject.

The phase 2b trial for elecoglipron enrolled participants with obesity or overweight and measured weight change over a set period. The 10.5 percent average weight loss figure places the drug in a competitive range, though it falls below the 15 to 20 percent reductions seen with some injectable options in longer trials.

AstraZeneca has not announced a timeline for phase 3 trials or a potential regulatory submission. The company is one of several pharmaceutical firms racing to develop oral GLP-1 options. Pfizer and Eli Lilly are also working on pill-based formulations, and the FDA approved the first oral GLP-1 drug, Rybelsus, for type 2 diabetes management several years ago.

Healthline noted that the elecoglipron results were among several GLP-1 developments reported in early June 2026. Separate research published the same week suggested that GLP-1 drugs may help lower breast cancer risk in women with obesity, adding to the list of potential benefits beyond weight management.

Doctors and researchers caution that all GLP-1 medications carry side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort, and that long-term safety data for newer formulations is still being gathered.