The new slimming injection CBL-514 induces fat cell apoptosis, and the second phase of human trials showed that visceral fat decreased by 12.01%

2026/10/04 14:34

The new slimming injection CBL-514 can induce fat cell apoptosis, and phase 2 human data show a decrease in visceral fat; situational photo. (Taken from Freepik)

[Compiled by Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] CBL-514, a new type of slimming injection developed by a Taiwanese biotech company, works differently from the current common GLP-1 weight loss drugs. It does not mainly reduce weight by reducing appetite, but directly induces fat cell apoptosis. The latest Phase 2 human trial data shows that the abdominal visceral fat volume of those who received CBL-514 decreased by an average of 12.01% 4 weeks after the last treatment.

The medical news website "Medical Xpress" reported that this study was published at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting held in Milan, Italy from September 28 to October 2. The research was conducted by W. Timothy Garvey, a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Ling Yufang, CEO and R&D Chief of Kangpei Biotech, and others.

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The main function of CBL-514 is to selectively induce apoptosis in fat cells, that is, to cause fat cells to die on their own. This time, the research team analyzed 40 subjects with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in the Phase 2 trial, of whom 23 received CBL-514 and 17 received placebo. They received injections in the lower abdomen every 3 weeks for a maximum of 12 weeks.

MRI results showed that 4 weeks after the last treatment, the visceral fat volume of the CBL-514 group decreased by 12.01% on average compared with the baseline value, while that of the placebo group increased by 5.68%, with a difference of 17.69 percentage points between the two groups. Eight to 12 weeks after the last treatment, the visceral fat volume in the CBL-514 group was still 10.45% lower than the baseline value, while the placebo group increased by 11.76%.

This human analysis only covered 40 subjects

Previous Phase 2 trial data also showed that CBL-514 can reduce subcutaneous fat volume, with 69.6% of treated patients losing at least 150 ml at 8-week follow-up, compared with 0% of the placebo group. During the study period, mild to moderate and transient reactions such as pain, swelling and redness at the injection site mainly occurred, and no serious adverse events were reported.

The research team also observed in animal experiments that when CBL-514 was combined with the GLP-1 drug tirzepatide, the rats lost weight to a greater extent; after stopping tirzepatide, the rats combined with CBL-514 gained less weight. However, this part currently only has animal research data, and the researcher's suggestion that "reducing fat cells may reduce obesity" is still a hypothesis and cannot be directly applied to humans.

CBL-514 has now entered the Phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial, which will further evaluate the safety and efficacy of non-surgical abdominal fat reduction. The first results are expected to be announced by the end of 2027.