Smegglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with 94% amino acid sequence homology to natural human glucagon-like peptide-1. As the sixth marketed GLP-1RA and the third once-weekly long-acting formulation, it is primarily used for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
This drug was approved for marketing in the United States in December 2017 and subsequently used in more than 50 countries and regions. It was approved in China in April 2021. It stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon release by activating the GLP-1 receptor, with a half-life extended to 7 days. A weight-loss version (trade name: Novogene) was approved in mainland China in June 2024 for long-term weight management and officially launched in November of the same year. Oral smegglutide tablets were approved in China in January 2024, becoming the first oral GLP-1RA drug in the country.