Survodutide (BI 456906) by Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand Pharma: status and timeline

Survodutide (BI 456906)

Glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist by Boehringer Ingelheim (licensed from Zealand Pharma) for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

PilotStage 3 of 5

Phase 3 positive: SYNCHRONIZE-1 (April 2026, 16.6% loss) and SYNCHRONIZE-2 (October 2026, 13.1% loss).

Updated Oct 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · SYNCHRONIZE-MASH trial ongoing

Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 enrollment complete2025Complete.
Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-2 enrollment complete2025Complete.
SYNCHRONIZE-1 results (obesity, 16.6% weight loss)Apr 2026Complete.
SYNCHRONIZE-2 results (obesity+T2D, 13.1% weight loss)Oct 2026Complete.
SYNCHRONIZE-MASH trial ongoingTarget 2026Current milestone.
Additional phase 3 results expected in 2026Target 2026Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

2026SYNCHRONIZE-MASH trial ongoing (next)
2026Additional phase 3 results expected in 2026

Current obstacles

Hyperglycemia riskGlucagon naturally raises glucose; managing this in obese and diabetic patients requires careful dosing.
Long-term cardiovascular safetyDual hepatic and systemic activation needs long-term safety demonstration in ongoing trials.

Physics limits

Glucagon raises blood glucoseInherent tension between weight loss (glucagon benefit) and glucose control (glucagon harm).
Metabolic adaptationProlonged agonist exposure can reduce cellular sensitivity over time; long-term efficacy is unproven.

How it works

3 parts

Glucagon pathway

Energy expenditure

Glucagon agonism increases energy expenditure and promotes liver fat breakdown.

GLP-1 pathway

Appetite suppression

GLP-1 agonism suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves insulin secretion.

Dual axis

Burn more, eat less

The combination addresses weight loss from two directions while preferentially targeting liver fat.

Spec sheet

Spec	Survodutide (BI 456906)
Mechanism	Glucagon and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist^R (reported)
SYNCHRONIZE-1 weight loss	16.6% (39.2 lb / 17.8 kg)^R (reported)
SYNCHRONIZE-2 weight loss	13.1% vs 3.1% placebo (76 weeks)^R (reported)
Visceral fat reduction	Up to 34% reduction^R (reported)
Liver fat reduction	Up to 63% reduction^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

2 updates

Oct 2026

Major: Boehringer Ingelheim reports phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-2 positive results for Survodutide in obesity with type 2 diabetesPressTest

Apr 2026

Major: Boehringer Ingelheim reports phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-1 positive results: 16.6% weight loss with Survodutide in obesityPressTest

About Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand Pharma

The team behind Survodutide (BI 456906)

Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand Pharma

Survodutide glucagon GLP-1 obesity MASH

Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma co-develop Survodutide, a glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist for obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASH). Boehringer Ingelheim licensed it globally from Zealand.

Survodutide met phase 3 endpoints in SYNCHRONIZE-1 (April 2026) and SYNCHRONIZE-2 (October 2026).
SYNCHRONIZE-1: 16.6% weight loss with 63% liver fat reduction versus placebo.
Boehringer Ingelheim licensed Survodutide globally from Zealand Pharma; leads development.

boehringer-ingelheim.com (opens boehringer-ingelheim.com)Company profile →

Founded: 1885141 yrs
Headquarters: GermanyDenmark
Status: Private
Valuation: private
Works in: BiotechObesity & metabolism
Coverage: 1 program · 2 updateslatest 10d agochecked 10 Oct
Partners: Zealand Pharma (opens zealandpharma.com)

Spec

Survodutide (BI 456906)

Mechanism

Glucagon and GLP-1 receptor dual agonist^R (reported)

SYNCHRONIZE-1 weight loss

16.6% (39.2 lb / 17.8 kg)^R (reported)

SYNCHRONIZE-2 weight loss

13.1% vs 3.1% placebo (76 weeks)^R (reported)

Visceral fat reduction

Up to 34% reduction^R (reported)

Liver fat reduction

Up to 63% reduction^R (reported)