Eccogene Announces First Patient Enrolled in China in Global Phase III Clinical Program for Elecoglipron
Eccogene, a global clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory disorders, today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in China in the global Phase III clinical program for elecoglipron (AZD5004/ECC5004).
Elecoglipron is an investigational, once-daily, oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. The extensive elecoglipron Phase 3 program includes the Embold Phase III trials which will evaluate elecoglipron as treatment for people with obesity or overweight, with and without type 2 diabetes. The Eluminate Phase III trials will evaluate elecoglipron, as monotherapy and in combination with dapagliflozin, as treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Two additional indication-seeking outcome trials (Elevate) will evaluate elecoglipron as treatment for people with heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD), on the background of dapagliflozin plus other standard of care therapies. Eccogene is working closely with its partner AstraZeneca to advance the Phase III clinical development of elecoglipron in Greater China. Clinical trial sites across Greater China will participate in the global Phase III program, enabling patients in the region to participate in these pivotal registration and outcomes studies alongside patients globally.
Jingye Zhou, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Eccogene, said: “The first patient enrollment in China marks an important milestone in the global Phase III clinical program for elecoglipron, expanding its evaluation across a broader and more diverse patient population. This milestone brings us one step closer to providing a more convenient and innovative treatment option for patients in China living with obesity/overweight, type 2 diabetes, heart failure and CKD. We will continue to work closely with AstraZeneca to advance the clinical development of elecoglipron in Greater China with high quality and efficiency, and contribute to the global evidence base for elecoglipron across cardiometabolic diseases.”
Elecoglipron has the potential to become an important oral therapy for cardiometabolic diseases, both as a monotherapy in population with obesity or overweight with comorbidities, and type 2 diabetes, as well as in combination with other small-molecule therapies (such as dapagliflozin), enabling tailored treatment approaches that address different disease mechanisms and comorbidity profiles. As an oral small molecule, elecoglipron offers inherent advantages in large-scale manufacturing and supply chain management compared with peptide-based or injectable therapies. With no food or fasting restrictions, elecoglipron also has the potential to improve long-term treatment adherence and facilitate broader adoption in primary care chronic disease management, ultimately expanding treatment options for a wider population of patients with cardiometabolic diseases.
Leveraging its translational research workflow and deep understanding of metabolic disease pathways, Eccogene is advancing a pipeline of next-generation therapeutics that can be used alone or in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists. In addition to elecoglipron, the Company’s pipeline includes clinical-stage programs targeting THR-β and SSAO, as well as preclinical programs targeting GIPR, AmylinR, and others.
About Elecoglipron
Elecoglipron is an investigational oral, small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist discovered by Eccogene. It is designed to offer a convenient once-daily dosing regimen with no food- or water-related restrictions, which may help support patient adherence and broaden access. In November 2023, Eccogene entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with AstraZeneca for elecoglipron outside Greater China, while retaining co-development and co-commercialization rights within Greater China. Elecoglipron is currently being evaluated in an extensive global Phase III clinical program spanning multiple indications, including weight management, type 2 diabetes, heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
About Eccogene
Eccogene is a global clinical-stage biotechnology company established in 2018 with an integrated pipeline comprising three clinical-stage drug candidates and multiple preclinical programs. The company aims to become a global leader in developing therapies for cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory disorders. For more information, please visit www.eccogene.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
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