# UBT251: Novo Nordisk's Triple Agonist, Results and Phase 3 Source: https://www.dietglp.com/blog/ubt251/ Published: 2026-10-26 Keywords: ubt251, what is ubt251, ubt251 novo nordisk, ubt251 peptide, ubt251 clinical trial, ubt251 phase 2, ubt251 vs retatrutide, is ubt251 retatrutide, ubt251 triple agonist, ubt251 side effects, ubt251 diabetes, novo nordisk ubt251 results, ubt251 united laboratories, ubt251 release date, ubt251 research peptide **TL;DR:** UBT251 is an experimental once-weekly shot that acts on three hormone receptors (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon), the same "triple G" idea as Lilly's retatrutide. It was made by China's United Laboratories and licensed to Novo Nordisk in 2025. In two Chinese Phase 2 trials now published in Cell Metabolism, adults with obesity lost 13.6% to 19.7% of their weight in 24 weeks, and adults with type 2 diabetes cut HbA1c by up to 2.16%. It is not approved anywhere, and global trials report in 2027. On any GLP-1 today, [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138) helps you keep muscle with a daily protein target and a 20-minute workout. What is UBT251, and why did it show up in the news this week? **UBT251 is an experimental once-weekly shot that acts on three hormone receptors: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon.** It was made by The United Laboratories (TUL) in China and licensed to Novo Nordisk. In a 24-week Phase 2 trial, adults with obesity lost up to 19.7% of their body weight. It is not approved anywhere yet. The fresh news is that both Chinese Phase 2 trials are now published in the journal *Cell Metabolism*: the obesity trial online on October 8, 2026, and the type 2 diabetes trial shortly after. Trade outlets such as Inside Precision Medicine called it "Novo's answer to retatrutide" on October 26. Here is what the data say, in plain English. ## What is UBT251? The basics | | UBT251 | |---|---| | Type | Peptide, "triple G" agonist | | Targets | GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors | | How it is given | Once-weekly shot under the skin | | Discovered by | The United Laboratories (TUL), via United Biotechnology (Hengqin) | | Rights | Novo Nordisk worldwide, except mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan | | Deal | Signed March 24, 2025: $200 million upfront, up to $1.8 billion in milestones, plus royalties | | Stage | Phase 3 in China (diabetes), Phase 2 globally | | Approved? | No | GLP-1 and GIP are gut hormones that calm appetite and help the body handle sugar. Our [GLP-1 vs GIP guide](/blog/glp1-vs-gip-explained/) explains them. Glucagon is the third piece. It is thought to raise energy use and help burn liver fat. Adding all three in one molecule is the same bet Lilly made with retatrutide. ## UBT251 Phase 2 results in obesity The obesity trial enrolled 205 adults in China with overweight or obesity and no diabetes. About 59% were women. They started at an average of 92.2 kg (about 203 lb) with a BMI of 33.1. They got 2 mg, 4 mg or 6 mg of UBT251 once a week, or placebo, for 24 weeks. | Result at 24 weeks | UBT251 (2, 4 or 6 mg) | Placebo | |---|---|---| | Average weight change | -13.6% to -19.7% | -2.0% | | Difference vs placebo | -11.5% to -17.7% | | | Best group in pounds | About 38.6 lb (17.5 kg) | About 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) | All UBT251 doses also improved waist size, blood pressure, blood fats and blood sugar compared with placebo. These numbers use the "efficacy estimand," which counts people as if they stayed on the drug. Real-world results usually come in a bit lower. Twenty-four weeks is short. Weight was likely still falling when the trial ended, which is why longer trials matter. ## UBT251 results in type 2 diabetes The second trial enrolled 211 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, on diet and exercise alone or with metformin. Their average starting HbA1c was 8.12% and weight was 80.1 kg (about 177 lb). This trial also had a semaglutide arm, the drug in Ozempic. | Result at 24 weeks | UBT251 (best group) | Semaglutide 1 mg | Placebo | |---|---|---|---| | HbA1c drop | Up to 2.16 points | 1.77 points | 0.66 points | | Weight loss | Up to 9.8% | 4.8% | 1.4% | So in this trial UBT251 lowered blood sugar a bit more than semaglutide 1 mg and roughly doubled the weight loss. People with diabetes usually lose less weight on these drugs, which is normal. If you have diabetes, our [GLP-1 and type 2 diabetes guide](/blog/glp1-and-diabetes/) covers how the approved options work. ## UBT251 side effects Both trials found that the most common side effects were stomach and gut symptoms, mostly mild to moderate, and they eased over time. That matches every GLP-1 type drug so far. The companies have not released exact rates of nausea or vomiting, or how many people quit because of side effects, in the material we could check. We will update this guide when those numbers are public. Our [nausea guide](/blog/managing-nausea-on-ozempic/) covers what helps on approved drugs today. ## UBT251 vs retatrutide This is the most searched question about UBT251. No trial has compared the two. The fairest match is each drug's own 24-week Phase 2 result in people without diabetes. | | UBT251 | Retatrutide | |---|---|---| | Maker | United Laboratories / Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly | | Targets | GLP-1, GIP, glucagon | GLP-1, GIP, glucagon | | Phase 2 weight loss at 24 weeks (top group) | 19.7% (Chinese adults, BMI 33) | 17.5% (12 mg, NEJM 2023) | | Longest data so far | 24 weeks | 104 weeks (TRIUMPH program) | | Stage | Phase 3 in China, Phase 2 globally | Phase 3 done; Lilly plans to file in early 2027 | The UBT251 trial was in Chinese adults with a lower starting weight, so the numbers do not line up cleanly. Retatrutide is at least two years ahead. Our [retatrutide guide](/blog/retatrutide-guide/) covers its Phase 3 results. Novo's other big pipeline bet, the GLP-1 and amylin drug [amycretin](/blog/amycretin-zenagamtide/), is already in Phase 3, and Lilly is testing its own amylin combo, [EloraTZP](/blog/eloratzp/). A newer rival goes one step further: Celltrion's [CT-G32](/blog/ct-g32/) adds amylin as a fourth target, though it has only been tested in animals so far. ## When will UBT251 be available? Here is where each trial stands, based on ClinicalTrials.gov records checked on October 26, 2026. | Trial | Who | Sponsor | Status | |---|---|---|---| | UNIGUIDE-1 (NCT07659574) | 360 adults with type 2 diabetes on diet and exercise | United Biotechnology | Phase 3, recruiting in China since Sep 2026 | | UNIGUIDE-2 (NCT07653477) | 956 adults with type 2 diabetes on metformin and other pills | United Biotechnology | Phase 3, recruiting in China since Sep 2026 | | NCT07395687 | About 333 adults with overweight or obesity | Novo Nordisk | Phase 1b/2a, US and Canada, results expected 2027 | | NCT07668388 | About 300 adults with type 2 diabetes | Novo Nordisk | Phase 2, recruiting, main results expected late 2027 | A US launch would need large Phase 3 trials after those. Realistically, that points to the end of the decade at the earliest, and nothing is guaranteed. There is no US price. ## Big weight loss means a muscle question When a drug can take off close to 20% of your weight, part of that loss can be muscle. Keeping muscle protects your strength and how you look at the end. The habits that help are the same on any GLP-1, approved or not: hit a daily protein target and lift a few times a week. Our [protein target guide](/blog/protein-target-on-glp1/) shows how to find your number. [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138) turns that into one protein target, one 20-minute workout and one Shape Score each day, so you can see whether the weight you lose is fat. ## A warning about "UBT251 research peptide" Searches for "UBT251 peptide" and "buy UBT251" are climbing. Anything sold online under that name is not an approved medicine. Nobody checks its purity or dose. The FDA has warned that unapproved GLP-1 products bought online can be fake or contaminated. Our [compounded GLP-1 guide](/blog/compounded-glp1/) explains the risks. If you want treatment now, talk to your prescriber about approved drugs. ## The bottom line UBT251 is a promising triple agonist with strong early data from China and a big partner in Novo Nordisk. It is also early: 24-week trials, mostly in one country, and no detailed side effect rates yet. The 2027 global readouts will show whether it holds up. Until then, the approved drugs and solid habits are what you can use. [Sharpy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glp-diet-app-sharpy/id6762084138) helps with the habits part: protein, a short workout and a simple daily score. ## Sources - [Zhou et al. UBT251 in adults with overweight or obesity: phase 2 trial. Cell Metabolism, Oct 2026 (PubMed)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42843337/) - [UBT251 in adults with type 2 diabetes: phase 2 trial. Cell Metabolism, Oct 2026](https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(26)00447-X) - [Yang et al. UBT251 Phase 1a/1b study. Diabetes Obes Metab, Sep 2026 (PubMed)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42712041/) - [Novo Nordisk and TUL: UBT251 up to 19.7% weight loss in phase 2 (BioSpace, Feb 24, 2026)](https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/novo-nordisk-triple-agonist-ubt251-delivers-up-to-19-7-mean-weight-loss-after-24-weeks-in-phase-2-trial-in-china) - [Novo Nordisk: UBT251 HbA1c reduction up to 2.16% in type 2 diabetes phase 2 (Mar 25, 2026)](https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/healthcare/articles/novo-nordisk-triple-agonist-ubt251-060000347.html) - [TUL and Novo Nordisk exclusive license agreement for UBT251 (BioSpace, Mar 24, 2025)](https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/the-united-laboratories-and-novo-nordisk-announce-exclusive-license-agreement-for-ubt251-a-glp-1-gip-glucagon-triple-receptor-agonist) - [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07659574](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07659574), [NCT07653477](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07653477), [NCT07395687](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07395687), [NCT07668388](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07668388) - [Jastreboff et al. Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity. NEJM 2023](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972) ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What is UBT251?** A: UBT251 is an investigational peptide given as a once-weekly shot under the skin. It activates three receptors: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon. It was discovered by The United Laboratories (TUL) in China. Novo Nordisk holds the rights outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. It is not approved in any country. **Q: Is UBT251 the same as retatrutide?** A: No. They are different molecules from different companies. Retatrutide is made by Eli Lilly. UBT251 is from United Laboratories and Novo Nordisk. Both are "triple G" agonists that act on GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, which is why people compare them. **Q: How much weight did people lose on UBT251?** A: In a 24-week Chinese Phase 2 trial of 205 adults with overweight or obesity and no diabetes, average weight loss was 13.6% to 19.7% across the 2 mg, 4 mg and 6 mg doses, versus 2.0% on placebo. In a separate 24-week trial of 211 adults with type 2 diabetes, weight loss reached up to 9.8%, versus 4.8% on semaglutide 1 mg. **Q: What are the side effects of UBT251?** A: The most common side effects were stomach and gut symptoms, mostly mild to moderate, as with other GLP-1 type drugs. The published abstract and company releases do not give exact rates or how many people stopped, so the full picture is not public yet. **Q: When will UBT251 be available?** A: Not soon. In China, United Laboratories started two Phase 3 diabetes trials in September 2026. Novo Nordisk is running global Phase 2 trials in obesity and type 2 diabetes in the US and Canada, with results expected in 2027. A US approval would need Phase 3 trials after that. **Q: Can you buy UBT251 as a research peptide?** A: Products sold online as "UBT251" are not approved medicines. Nobody can check what is in them, how pure they are or what dose they hold. The FDA warns against unapproved GLP-1 products bought online. Talk to a doctor about approved options instead.