China has developed new weight loss drugs and begins trials – could they rival Wegovy and Mounjaro?
Ed Milner | Last update: 10th July 2025
China has developed new weight loss drugs with new clinical trials now underway. Here’s what we know so far and why the world is watching.
TL;DR
- China has developed new weight loss drugs and is trialling homegrown weight loss drugs similar to Wegovy and Mounjaro
- Several biotech companies are working on GLP-1 treatments
- Trials are underway; results could shake up the global market
- Could lead to cheaper options in future, but access outside China is uncertain
- It’s early days, but one to watch for the SlimrChat community
China joins the weight loss drug revolution
With demand for drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro soaring worldwide, China is now developing its own versions of these powerful GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Several Chinese biotech companies have initiated clinical trials, including Sciwind, with the goal of producing treatments that match or exceed the results achieved with semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).
According to early reports, these trials are still in the early stages, but are being fast-tracked due to rising domestic demand and interest in reducing reliance on imported medications.
What could this mean for the rest of us?
Right now, there’s no suggestion that these Chinese-made weight loss drugs will be available outside China anytime soon. But if successful, they could:
- Lower global prices through increased competition
- Improve access for those currently priced out of private treatment
- Offer alternative formulations or delivery methods
It’s too early to compare effectiveness or safety, but this is a development the SlimrChat community will want to watch closely.
Read our article on how GLP-1 weight loss drugs work here.