Cotadutide: what the human studies examined

PRIMARY EVIDENCE CHECKED NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Cotadutide, also called MEDI0382, combines GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonism. Its human studies involve defined populations, often with type 2 diabetes. A mechanism description is not evidence of an individual clinical outcome, and the cited trials do not establish a general treatment recommendation.

Mechanistic phase 2a work

A randomized, double-blind phase 2a study included 65 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. It compared cotadutide with placebo over 49 days and examined meal-test glucose, weight and exploratory measures including insulin and gastric emptying. The short duration and mechanistic emphasis limit what it can establish about long-term outcomes. Primary publication, PMID 31608926.

The 54-week phase 2b trial

A larger study randomized 834 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. Cotadutide and placebo were blinded; the liraglutide comparator was open-label. The coprimary endpoints were changes in HbA1c and body weight at week 14, with treatment continuing to week 54. The authors reported improvements versus placebo. Hepatic biomarker analyses were ad hoc, so biomarker changes should not be rewritten as proven clinical liver outcomes. Primary publication, PMID 34016612; NCT03235050.

A separate kidney-disease population

A randomized phase 2a study examined cotadutide in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease over 32 days. Its population and short-term question differ from the larger metabolic trial. Primary publication, PMID 35403793; NCT03550378.

How to read a cotadutide claim

• Identify the actual study and the population before comparing a result.
• Keep a measured biomarker separate from a clinical event or patient benefit.
• Distinguish prespecified primary endpoints from exploratory or ad hoc analyses.
• Read the comparator’s blinding and treatment duration before drawing a cross-study comparison.
• Use the original publication identifier so a later correction or update can be checked.

This is a selected historical evidence note. A study registration is not proof of current development activity or approval; those require separate dated sources. No dosing, availability or purchasing instructions are supplied.