Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Gotrade News - Pfizer just locked in a licensing deal with Sciwind Biosciences for a type 2 diabetes drug called ecnoglutide, with potential payouts reaching up to $495 million. The move bolsters Pfizer's push into China's fast-growing metabolic drug market.
In a statement posted on its website on Tuesday (02/24), Sciwind called the deal "an important first step to advance Pfizer's global strategy in the metabolic field in China." Ecnoglutide itself already got the green light from Chinese regulators back in January 2026 for treating type 2 diabetes.
Key Takeaways:
- Pfizer keeps expanding its GLP-1 portfolio in China through its second licensing deal in just a few months
- Ecnoglutide is a once-weekly injection already approved in China, with a weight management application currently under review
- Competition in the GLP-1 space is heating up fast, with heavyweights like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly already leading the pack
Ecnoglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the same category as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. These drugs work by helping regulate blood sugar levels while triggering a feeling of fullness.
Hangzhou-based Sciwind is also seeking approval for a weight management version of ecnoglutide in China. If it gets the nod, the drug's commercial reach would expand significantly.
Under the agreement, Sciwind will receive an undisclosed upfront payment. Additional payouts will be tied to hitting regulatory and sales milestones down the road.
A Pfizer spokesperson declined to comment on the upfront fee, launch timeline, or pricing for ecnoglutide. The deal covers commercialization rights for ecnoglutide in mainland China.
Unlike Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Innovent Biologics' efsubaglutide alfa, ecnoglutide won't be covered under China's state-run health insurance scheme for type 2 diabetes. That could limit how many patients actually end up getting access to it.
This isn't Pfizer's first GLP-1 play through China either. According to Seeking Alpha, the pharma giant also struck a deal with Fosun Pharma back in December 2025 for oral GLP-1 drugs.
Two deals in quick succession make it pretty clear that Pfizer is building an aggressive metabolic strategy. The American pharma company looks intent on closing the gap with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, both of which have been dominating the global GLP-1 market for a while now.
The broader market context backs up the urgency behind Pfizer's moves. According to Sciwind's statement, obesity prevalence among Chinese adults currently sits at 14.1% and is closely linked to metabolic diseases.
The GLP-1 drug market is easily one of the most competitive corners of pharma right now. Beyond Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, regional players like Innovent Biologics and Guangzhou Innogen are also pouring money into this space.
For investors, Pfizer's latest move reads as a signal that the company is serious about diversifying its revenue streams. A win in the metabolic segment could become a fresh catalyst, especially as the COVID-19 vaccine boom continues to fade.
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Reference:
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Reuters, Pfizer in diabetes drug deal with Sciwind Biosciences. Accessed on February 24, 2026
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Seeking Alpha, Pfizer strikes $495M deal for obesity drug rights in China. Accessed on February 24, 2026
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