What Is Survodutide?
Survodutide (BI 456906) is an investigational, once-weekly injectable peptide that acts as a dual agonist at both the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor. It is being developed by Boehringer Ingelheim for obesity and for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly NASH). Adding glucagon-receptor activity to the familiar GLP-1 mechanism is intended to combine appetite suppression with increased energy expenditure and direct effects on the liver. As of this writing it is a research/trial compound — not approved by the FDA or EMA and not available as a marketed drug or supplement.
Evidence
Survodutide has cleared several phase 2 randomised controlled trials. In a 48-week phase 2 trial in adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and fibrosis, survodutide was superior to placebo for histologic improvement of MASH without worsening of fibrosis 1Reference 1RCTA Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Survodutide in MASH and Fibrosis — randomised controlled trialView study →. In a separate 16-week phase 2 randomised trial in people with type 2 diabetes, survodutide produced dose-dependent reductions in HbA1c and body weight (up to roughly −8.7% weight), with the higher weekly doses reducing weight more than the open-label semaglutide comparator 2Reference 2RCTDose–response effects on HbA1c and bodyweight reduction of survodutide, a dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist, compared with placebo and open-label semaglutide in type 2 diabetes — randomised controlled trialView study →. Phase 3 development (including obesity and MASH programmes) has been reported as underway, but phase 3 efficacy and long-term safety were not yet established at the time of writing. Claims that survodutide is freely available or interchangeable with approved GLP-1 drugs are not supported — it remains investigational.
Dosage & Safety
Survodutide is an investigational prescription-only injectable drug, not an approved dietary supplement — the information here is educational only and is not a recommendation to obtain or use it. Trial doses were once-weekly subcutaneous injections in the ~2.4–6.0 mg range, reached through gradual dose escalation under clinical supervision 1Reference 1RCTA Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Survodutide in MASH and Fibrosis — randomised controlled trialView study →. As with other GLP-1–class agents, gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) are the most commonly reported adverse events in trials; the added glucagon activity raises distinct metabolic considerations that are still being characterised. Full safety profile, contraindications, drug interactions, and use in pregnancy are not established in this pass and should be regarded as unknown for any non-trial use. Product sold as “survodutide” outside a clinical trial is unregulated and of unverified identity and purity.
References
- Sanyal AJ, et al. (2024). A Phase 2 Randomized Trial of Survodutide in MASH and Fibrosis — randomised controlled trial. New England Journal of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38847460/
- Blüher M, et al. (2024). Dose–response effects on HbA1c and bodyweight reduction of survodutide, a dual glucagon/GLP-1 receptor agonist, compared with placebo and open-label semaglutide in type 2 diabetes — randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38095657/