Elecoglipron SOLSTICE & VISTA: AstraZeneca’s Oral GLP-1 RA Advances to Phase 3 (ADA 2026)
TL;DR: Elecoglipron, AstraZeneca’s oral GLP-1 RA, achieved −1.9% HbA1c and up to 10.5% weight loss at 26 wks in Phase 2 (ADA 2026, Lancet); Phase 3 now planned.
What is elecoglipron?
Elecoglipron (internal development code AZD9550) is an oral, once-daily small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) under development by AstraZeneca. It is distinct from all currently approved GLP-1-class agents in a fundamental way: it is not a peptide. Approved GLP-1 RAs including semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are large peptide molecules that must be administered by subcutaneous injection or, in the case of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), require a complex fasting and water-volume protocol to achieve meaningful gastric absorption via the absorption enhancer SNAC. Elecoglipron is instead a low-molecular-weight organic compound that binds the GLP-1 receptor directly without these formulation constraints.[1]
The clinical development of small-molecule GLP-1 RAs has been a long-standing pharmaceutical goal, driven by the preference of many patients for oral over injectable administration. AstraZeneca’s elecoglipron and Eli Lilly’s orforglipron are the two furthest-advanced non-peptide oral GLP-1 RAs as of mid-2026, both reporting Phase 2 efficacy signals and advancing toward Phase 3. For context on where this sits relative to injectable GLP-1-class research, see the retatrutide vs tirzepatide vs semaglutide comparison guide.
Phase 2 data from two elecoglipron trials — SOLSTICE (type 2 diabetes) and VISTA (obesity without diabetes) — were presented at the ADA 86th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans on 6–9 June 2026 and published simultaneously in The Lancet.[2][3]
What is the SOLSTICE trial and what did it find?
SOLSTICE was a Phase 2b randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating elecoglipron in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled by diet and exercise alone. The trial enrolled 404 participants with a mean baseline HbA1c of approximately 8.0–8.2% and followed them for 26 weeks. Primary endpoint: change in HbA1c from baseline at week 26.[2]
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. n=404 adults with T2D on diet and exercise alone. Once-daily oral elecoglipron (multiple doses tested, primary analysis at 75 mg) versus placebo. Treatment: 26 weeks. Primary endpoint: HbA1c change from baseline at week 26. Primary result: −1.9% HbA1c at 75 mg (from ~8.0–8.2% baseline) vs −0.2% placebo. Approximately 90% of participants on 75 mg achieved HbA1c <7.0%; approximately 85% achieved ≤6.5%. Statistically significant weight reduction also reported across active arms. Tolerability consistent with GLP-1 class (gastrointestinal events predominant).
Important note: These are findings from a publicly reported human clinical trial. They are not claims about Velox Peptides products, which are supplied strictly as research reagents for in vitro laboratory research only.
Sources: AstraZeneca press release, June 2026 · PR Newswire, June 2026
75 mg vs baseline
HbA1c <7.0%
HbA1c ≤6.5%
change at 26 weeks
The glycaemic target achievement rates are particularly notable. Guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and NICE define HbA1c <7.0% as the recommended target for most adults with T2D. The reported 90% target-achievement rate at 75 mg in a diet-and-exercise-only baseline population is a strong Phase 2 signal that investigators and peer reviewers have noted as comparable to the best Phase 2 results in the class.[4] For comparative context on T2D outcomes in GLP-1-class pharmaceutical research, see the TRANSCEND-T2D-1 retatrutide T2D guide.
What did the VISTA obesity trial show?
Alongside SOLSTICE, AstraZeneca published data from VISTA, a Phase 2 randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial of elecoglipron in adults with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes — the population most closely analogous to the pivotal obesity trials used for regulatory submissions (TRIUMPH-1 for retatrutide, SURMOUNT-1 for tirzepatide, STEP 1 for semaglutide).[3]
The VISTA paper was published in The Lancet (DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00748-8) and covered simultaneously by ScienceDaily on 14 June 2026, following the ADA 2026 presentations. Key findings across doses at 26 weeks:
- Mean body-weight reduction of approximately 7.7% versus approximately 1.7% with placebo at 26 weeks (primary dose group).
- At the highest dose tested, up to 10.5% mean body-weight reduction at 26 weeks, with 72% of participants achieving ≥5% body-weight reduction.
- Dose-dependent weight reduction consistent with GLP-1 receptor engagement.
- Tolerability profile dominated by gastrointestinal events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), broadly consistent with the injectable GLP-1 class.
Contextualising Phase 2 weight data
A 26-week observation window is approximately one-third the duration of the pivotal Phase 3 obesity RCTs now available (TRIUMPH-1: 80 weeks; SURMOUNT-1: 72 weeks; STEP 1: 68 weeks). Weight-loss plateaus are typically not reached until 48–60 weeks with weekly injectable GLP-1-class compounds. Projecting a 26-week oral result to longer-duration Phase 3 outcomes involves assumptions about the shape of the dose-response curve over time; head-to-head comparisons with injectable agents would require matched durations and populations, which VISTA does not provide. AstraZeneca noted that it is withholding some longer-duration weight data pending Phase 3 design finalisation, which is standard practice before Phase 3 registration.[5]
How does oral GLP-1 compare with injectable GLP-1-class agents?
The GLP-1-class landscape as of June 2026 spans approved injectable agents (semaglutide, tirzepatide), an approved oral peptide (oral semaglutide / Rybelsus), and a growing pipeline of small-molecule oral GLP-1 RAs in Phase 2–3 development. The table below places the major datasets in context for researchers tracking the pharmacological class. Cross-trial comparisons are confounded by differences in population, duration, and endpoint definitions.
| Agent | Form | Targets | Trial | Max wt loss reported | Stage (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide 2.4 mg | Injection (weekly) | GLP-1R | STEP 1 (68 wks) | −14.9% | Approved (FDA/MHRA) |
| Oral semaglutide 25 mg | Oral peptide (daily) | GLP-1R | OASIS 4 Ph3 (68 wks) | −13.6% | Phase 3 (submitted) |
| Tirzepatide 15 mg | Injection (weekly) | GLP-1R + GIPR | SURMOUNT-1 (72 wks) | −20.9% | Approved (FDA/MHRA) |
| Retatrutide 12 mg | Injection (weekly) | GLP-1R + GIPR + GCGR | TRIUMPH-1 (80 wks) | −28.3% (80 wks); −30.3% (104 wks) | Phase 3 / pre-NDA |
| Elecoglipron (highest dose) | Oral small molecule (daily) | GLP-1R | VISTA (26 wks) | −10.5% at 26 wks* | Phase 3 planned |
* VISTA is 26-week Phase 2 data; Phase 3 will run to 72–80 weeks. Cross-trial comparisons must be interpreted with caution. Table for contextual research reference only.
Why small-molecule oral GLP-1 RAs are a distinct research category
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor agonism is achievable orally, but its absorption mechanism — SNAC-facilitated transcellular absorption in the stomach — is specific to the peptide semaglutide and requires strict administration conditions. Small-molecule GLP-1 RAs like elecoglipron and orforglipron achieve receptor engagement through a different binding mode to the transmembrane domain of the GLP-1R rather than the extracellular peptide-binding domain used by peptide-based agonists. This mechanistic distinction is of interest for receptor pharmacology research, particularly in understanding allosteric modulation, functional selectivity, and the potential for differentiated signalling bias profiles.[1]
For researchers studying GLP-1 receptor signalling, the availability of both peptide-based agonists (tirzepatide, retatrutide) and small-molecule agonists (orforglipron, elecoglipron) in the research literature — even pre-approval — provides useful pharmacological reference points. Velox Peptides stocks tirzepatide and retatrutide as HPLC-verified research reagents for in vitro use; elecoglipron is not available as a research compound at this stage.
What Phase 3 programme has AstraZeneca planned?
On the basis of the SOLSTICE and VISTA Phase 2 data, AstraZeneca confirmed at ADA 2026 that elecoglipron will advance into an extensive Phase 3 programme covering multiple indications and outcomes. The programme is expected to include:[1]
Obesity (without T2D)
A pivotal Phase 3 randomised controlled trial in adults with obesity or overweight. Duration and sample size not disclosed as of June 2026, but expected to follow the 72–80-week format established by SURMOUNT-1 and TRIUMPH-1.
Type 2 Diabetes
Building on the SOLSTICE Phase 2b dataset, a Phase 3 T2D registrational trial with both HbA1c and body-weight co-primary or dual-primary endpoints, consistent with current diabetes drug development standards.
Cardiovascular outcomes trial (CVOT)
A cardiovascular outcomes trial is planned, consistent with FDA and EMA requirements for new diabetic and anti-obesity agents. This will be the longest and largest single trial in the programme, enrolling high-CV-risk participants.
Kidney disease
AstraZeneca has indicated a kidney outcomes component to the Phase 3 programme, building on emerging GLP-1-class data in chronic kidney disease and diabetic nephropathy.
Regulatory timeline
Phase 3 enrolment was not expected to begin before Q3–Q4 2026. Regulatory submissions are not anticipated before 2028 at earliest. No MHRA or FDA filings for elecoglipron are expected in the near term. Elecoglipron is not a licensed medicine and is not available for prescription.
GLP-1 class compounds available for research
Elecoglipron is not commercially available as a research reagent and is not a compound stocked by Velox Peptides. Researchers studying GLP-1 receptor pharmacology and metabolic peptide biology have access to the following HPLC-verified research-grade compounds through Velox Peptides, for use strictly as in vitro research reagents:
Tirzepatide and retatrutide are supplied as research reagents only. They are not medicines and have not been evaluated by the MHRA or FDA for use in our products. Not for human or veterinary use. See our Research Use Policy and MHRA Statement.
References
- AstraZeneca. Elecoglipron, an oral small molecule GLP-1 RA, moves to Phase III programme and unlocks next chapter in AstraZeneca’s cardiometabolic and kidney portfolio. Press release, June 2026. astrazeneca.com · drugs.com
- AstraZeneca / PR Newswire. Novel once-daily pill delivers positive blood glucose and weight reduction results. June 2026. prnewswire.com
- The Lancet. Elecoglipron, an oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist in adults with obesity or overweight (VISTA): a multicentre, phase 2, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. June 2026. thelancet.com
- ClinicalTrials Arena. ADA26: AstraZeneca unveils positive data for Phase III-ready oral GLP-1RA. June 2026. clinicaltrialsarena.com
- FierceBiotech. AstraZeneca reveals oral GLP-1 scored phase 2 wins but holds back weight loss data. June 2026. fiercebiotech.com
- ScienceDaily. New GLP-1 diabetes pill delivers major weight loss and blood sugar control. 14 June 2026. sciencedaily.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is elecoglipron?
Elecoglipron is an oral, once-daily small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in clinical development by AstraZeneca. Unlike injectable GLP-1 RAs such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, which are peptide-based, elecoglipron is a non-peptide organic small molecule that binds the GLP-1 receptor via the transmembrane domain. Phase 2 data were published in The Lancet and presented at the ADA 86th Scientific Sessions in June 2026.
What did the SOLSTICE trial report?
SOLSTICE was a Phase 2b trial in 404 adults with type 2 diabetes on diet and exercise alone. At 26 weeks, elecoglipron 75 mg achieved a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.9% from baseline versus 0.2% with placebo. Approximately 90% of participants on 75 mg reached an HbA1c below 7.0% and approximately 85% reached 6.5% or lower. These are published clinical trial findings, not claims about Velox Peptides products.
What did the VISTA obesity trial show?
VISTA was a Phase 2 trial in adults with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes, published in The Lancet in June 2026. Elecoglipron at the highest dose achieved up to 10.5% mean body-weight reduction at 26 weeks versus approximately 1.7% with placebo; 72% of treated participants achieved at least 5% body-weight reduction. Because the trial was only 26 weeks long, longer-term Phase 3 data will be needed to compare directly with approved injectable agents in 68–80-week trials.
How does elecoglipron differ from oral semaglutide (Rybelsus)?
Both target the GLP-1 receptor and are administered orally. Oral semaglutide is a peptide co-formulated with the SNAC absorption enhancer, requiring administration on an empty stomach with exactly 120 ml of water followed by a 30-minute pre-meal fasting period. Elecoglipron is a small organic molecule that does not rely on SNAC and may therefore have a simpler dosing protocol. Head-to-head clinical comparisons have not been published. The phase 3 OASIS 4 trial of 25 mg oral semaglutide reported 13.6% mean weight loss in obesity at 68 weeks, for reference.
Is elecoglipron approved or available for prescription?
No. As of June 2026, elecoglipron is not approved by the FDA, MHRA, or EMA for any indication. It is an investigational compound. Phase 3 trials are planned but not yet enrolling. Regulatory submissions are expected no earlier than 2028, with market access beyond that. Elecoglipron is not available as a research reagent and is not sold by Velox Peptides.
What GLP-1 class compounds can researchers study in the UK today?
Researchers interested in GLP-1 receptor agonism for in vitro research can access tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist) and retatrutide (GIP/GLP-1/glucagon triple agonist) as HPLC-verified research reagents from Velox Peptides for in vitro laboratory use only. These are not elecoglipron, are not interchangeable, and are supplied strictly as research reagents — not medicines. See the Tirzepatide product page and Retatrutide product page for availability.