The American pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, has received approval from China to launch its GLP-1 class drug, Xianweiying (also known as ecnoglutide), in the local market. The medication is intended for the long-term weight management of adult patients and is administered as a once-weekly injection. Xianweiying belongs to the same class of GLP-1 receptor agonists that includes well-known medications such as Novo Nordisk\u2019s Wegovy and products from Eli Lilly.<\/p>\n
Strategic Partnership and Market Dynamics<\/b> In February, Pfizer secured the rights to commercialize this drug in China from its local partner, Sciwind Biosciences. According to Sciwind, this agreement represents a significant first step in the development of Pfizer\u2019s global strategy in the field of metabolic disease treatment. The market for weight-loss medications in China is growing rapidly, as evidenced by sales figures:<\/p>\n In 2025, sales of Novo\u2019s drug, Wegovy, on Chinese e-commerce platforms reached 260 million yuan ($38 million).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Innovent\u2019s drug, Xinermei, recorded 416 million yuan ($61 million) in sales during the same period.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Despite the approval, Pfizer representatives have so far refrained from disclosing the price of the drug or the exact date for its launch in the Chinese market. It is worth noting that ecnoglutide is also approved in China for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n\n