Survodutide — questions, answered plainly.

Survodutide (BI 456906) is an investigational once-weekly dual agonist at GLP-1 and glucagon receptors developed by Boehringer Ingelheim. It is not FDA-approved at the time of writing; Phase II evidence is published and Phase III trials are ongoing.

Tirzepatide is a GIP + GLP-1 dual agonist. Survodutide is a GLP-1 + glucagon dual agonist. Retatrutide is a triple GIP + GLP-1 + glucagon agonist. Different receptor combinations produce different metabolic profiles in research.

le Roux et al. 2024 (Lancet D&E, PMID 38330987; n=386) reported dose-dependent body-weight reductions up to 14.9% over 46 weeks with survodutide versus placebo in adults with obesity. Gastrointestinal events were the most common adverse events.

Sanyal et al. 2024 (NEJM, PMID 38847460; n=293) was a Phase 2 trial in adults with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and significant fibrosis. Survodutide was associated with higher rates of MASH improvement without worsening fibrosis versus placebo at 48 weeks.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as NASH) is a progressive liver disease characterised by fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. It is one of the indications survodutide is being developed for.

Survodutide is investigational. All published efficacy data are from Phase 2 trials. Long-term safety, cardiovascular outcomes, and head-to-head comparison with tirzepatide or retatrutide have not been established.