Pfizer’s GLP-1 drug Xianweiying is approved for weight management in China, entering a competitive market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
SHANGHAI: China has approved Pfizer’s GLP-1 treatment Xianweiying for long-term weight management in overweight or obese adults. The approval boosts competition in a market analysts expect to be worth billions of dollars.
The injection belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs sold locally by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Innovent Biologics. Pfizer’s licensing partner Sciwind Biosciences called the approval “a breakthrough in the field of weight management”.
In February, Pfizer licensed the mainland China commercialisation rights for the drug, also known as ecnoglutide, from Sciwind. Sciwind said the deal was “an important first step to advance Pfizer’s global strategy in the metabolic field in China”.
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The approval strengthens Pfizer’s position in the booming weight-loss drug market. It has also recently acquired obesity drug developer Metsera and another experimental GLP-1 drug from another developer.
A Pfizer spokesperson confirmed Xianweiying was a once-a-week injection. The company declined to comment on pricing or a launch date for China.
Sales of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy on major Chinese e-commerce platforms totalled 260 million yuan (USD 38 million) in 2025. This compares to 416 million yuan (USD 61 million) for Innovent’s rival drug Xinermei, according to investment bank Jefferies.
Ecnoglutide is also approved in China as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
