Cambridge, United Kingdom

AstraZeneca

British-Swedish drugmaker whose diabetes portfolio has included exenatide (Byetta and Bydureon) and pramlintide (Symlin), which are older products. It is now developing investigational obesity drugs, including the oral GLP-1 receptor agonist elecoglipron, and in 2026 agreed a collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals that includes a once-monthly dosing technology.

Byetta authorisation in the EU

The European Medicines Agency lists AstraZeneca AB as marketing authorisation holder of Byetta (exenatide), an authorised medicine in the European Union since 20 November 2006.[src]

Elecoglipron phase 2b results

In its H1 2026 results AstraZeneca reported that in the VISTA phase 2b trial in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one related health condition, the oral GLP-1 receptor agonist elecoglipron produced an average weight reduction of 10.5% at 26 weeks versus 0.6% with placebo, and 11.8% at 36 weeks in one dose group versus 0.3% with placebo. Elecoglipron is investigational.[src]

Elecoglipron licence and Phase 3

Eccogene announced on 28 September 2026 that it received a $50 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca after the global Phase 3 programme of elecoglipron (AZD5004/ECC5004) began. Eccogene said AstraZeneca holds exclusive rights outside Greater China under a November 2023 agreement.[src]

CSPC collaboration

On 30 January 2026 AstraZeneca announced a collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals covering eight obesity and type 2 diabetes programmes, with a $1.2 billion upfront payment and up to $3.5 billion in development and regulatory milestones. AstraZeneca's H1 2026 results state the agreement closed on 14 April 2026.[src]