Boehringer Ingelheim said its Phase III SYNCHRONIZE-1 trial of survodutide showed significant reductions in liver and visceral fat for people with obesity.
These results are critical because targeting specific types of fat, such as visceral and liver fat, can lead to more substantial improvements in metabolic health than overall weight loss alone. Preserving lean mass during this process is a primary goal for next-generation obesity treatments.
The trial focused on survodutide, a novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist. According to the results announced April 28, 2026, the drug achieved a weight loss of up to 16.6% [2] of body weight. This represents an average absolute weight loss of 39.2 lb, or 17.8 kg, from the baseline [2].
Beyond total weight, the study highlighted the drug's impact on targeted fat deposits over a 76-week treatment period [1]. A pre-specified analysis revealed a reduction in visceral fat of up to 34% relative to the baseline [1]. Even more significant was the impact on the liver, where participants saw a reduction in liver fat of up to 63% [1].
Researchers said the drug minimized the loss of lean mass while delivering these metabolic improvements [1]. The trial was conducted globally across multiple sites to evaluate how the dual agonist affects metabolic health in people living with obesity or overweight [2], [3].
The combination of glucagon and GLP-1 receptors is designed to enhance energy expenditure and regulate appetite. By reducing liver fat and visceral deposits, which are closely linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the treatment aims to provide a more comprehensive health benefit than traditional weight-loss medications.
“The drug achieved a weight loss of up to 16.6% of body weight.”
The shift toward 'quality' weight loss—prioritizing the removal of dangerous visceral and liver fat while protecting muscle mass—marks a transition in obesity medicine. By utilizing a dual agonist approach, survodutide targets the underlying metabolic dysfunction of the liver and abdomen, potentially reducing the risk of comorbidities like fatty liver disease more effectively than single-agonist GLP-1 drugs.
