A new wave of biotech companies are advancing GLP-1–based therapeutics for obesity, spanning injectable biologics, dual-agonists, and next-gen orals. Below are five emerging players across North America, Europe, and China, with notable pipeline assets, stages and deal activity. All data can be found on Biotechgate.
Syntis Bio (USA)
Key asset: SYNT-101, a daily oral “gastric bypass–mimic” pill that induces endogenous GLP-1 release.
Status: A 2022 MIT spin-out, Syntis has raised $38 million in recent financing to propel its early clinical development. At the European Congress on Obesity, the company reported early animal and first-in-human pilot data showing safety, appetite suppression, and favorable hormone modulation.
Kailera Therapeutics (USA)
Key asset: KAI-9531, a GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, and KAI-7535, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Status: Founded in 2023, Kailera Therapeutics is advancing a diversified pipeline of clinical-stage GLP-1-based therapies for obesity and related conditions. The company’s lead program, KAI-9531, has demonstrated compelling clinical trial results in China. Additionally, KAI-7535, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, has shown efficacy and safety in Type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled by metformin. Kailera’s pipeline also includes KAI-9531 formulated as a once-daily oral tablet and KAI-4729, a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor tri-agonist.
Sciwind Biosciences (China)
Lead asset: Ecnoglutide (XW003), a long-acting, cAMP-biased GLP-1 peptide.
Status: Sciwind announced Phase III SLIMMER trial results, showing ~15.4% weight loss at 48 weeks in overweight/obese Chinese adults. Sciwind has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in China and is also in discussions to license ecnoglutide to a U.S. partner, positioning the company for both domestic approval and global expansion.
Verdiva Bio (UK)
Lead asset: VRB-101, a once-weekly oral GLP-1 peptide (and additional amylin agonists).
Status: Formed in 2024 with significant venture capital backing, Verdiva raised an oversubscribed $411 million Series A to advance its clinical-stage GLP-1 and amylin programs. The company acquired global rights (outside Greater China and South Korea) to its lead oral GLP-1 candidate and expects it to be Phase 2–ready.
Eccogene (China)
Key asset: ECC5004 (AZD5004), an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Status: Founded in 2018, Eccogene remains privately held. In 2023, AstraZeneca licensed global rights to ECC5004 outside China, with Eccogene retaining co-development and commercialization rights domestically. The program has advanced into mid-stage clinical development, positioning Eccogene as one of China’s most prominent metabolic start-ups.
Obesity medicine is evolving rapidly, with start-ups complementing large pharma by innovating in delivery methods, oral small molecules, and gene therapies. Newer entrants to the space such as Verdiva Bio highlight how venture-backed innovation continues to push GLP-1 science forward.
For investors and partners, the trend is clear: demand for effective, differentiated GLP-1 solutions is driving significant financing and partnerships. Start-ups that can show early proof of efficacy or novel modalities are attracting both venture capital and pharma deals.
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