Evidence: LowSmall molecule, not a peptide Clinical Trials Pipeline & In-Development

ECC5004

also known as: AZD5004, ECC-5004

An oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, not a peptide, developed by Eccogene and then AstraZeneca; a phase 3 trial registered in 2026 names it elecoglipron.

An oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, not a peptide, developed first by Eccogene and then by AstraZeneca. Its first-in-human study found dose-dependent falls in glucose and body weight, a phase 2 trial in type 2 diabetes finished in December 2025, and a phase 3 obesity trial began in 2026 under the name elecoglipron.

Mechanism of action

Oral small-molecule agonist of the GLP-1 receptor. Its first-in-human study found it engaged the receptor across the doses tested, with pharmacokinetics compatible with once-daily oral dosing (PMID 39495140).

Primary uses

Obesity (Phase 2)
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Phase 2)

Typical dosing

once daily (oral) (oral)

Phase 2 doses under evaluation; not publicly finalized.

Educational information, not medical advice. The doses on this page come from approved labels, published studies and, where no study exists, amounts reported by users. None is a recommendation for you. An unapproved compound has no established safe or effective human dose, and products sold for “research use only” are not made or tested for people. Talk to a doctor before acting on anything on this site, including before you start, stop or change any medicine or dose. Full medical disclaimer.

Regulatory status

Not approved. A phase 2 trial in type 2 diabetes was completed in December 2025 (NCT06579105), and a phase 3 trial in obesity has been recruiting since August 2026 under the name elecoglipron (NCT07775404).

Status as of this entry's last review, October 2, 2026. Approvals, compounding rules and sport rules change; the regulatory tracker is checked more often.

What the studies show

ECC5004, also AZD5004, is an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, not a peptide. It was developed first by Eccogene and then by AstraZeneca, and a phase 3 trial registered in 2026 calls it elecoglipron.

Human · 2025

First in human

In non-clinical studies and the first trial in people, ECC5004 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events, lowered glucose and body weight in a dose-dependent way, showed exposure proportional to dose from 25 mg, and had pharmacokinetics compatible with once-daily oral dosing.

PMID 39495140

Registry · 2024

Phase 2 in type 2 diabetes

AstraZeneca's trial of once-daily oral AZD5004 against placebo in 406 people with type 2 diabetes, completed in December 2025.

NCT06579105 · ClinicalTrials.gov record

Registry · 2024

Liver impairment

A phase 1 study of how hepatic impairment changes its pharmacokinetics and safety, in 33 participants, completed in October 2025.

NCT06813781 · ClinicalTrials.gov record

Registry · 2026

Phase 3 as elecoglipron

A phase 3 trial of elecoglipron in 351 Asian participants with obesity or overweight, recruiting since August 2026.

NCT07775404 · ClinicalTrials.gov record

References

[manufacturer] AstraZeneca. Press release: licensing agreement with Eccogene for ECC5004 (AZD5004), November 2023.
[manufacturer] AstraZeneca pipeline page — AZD5004 Phase 2 status.
[clinicaltrials] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06579105: "Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Once Daily Oral Administration of AZD5004 Versus Placebo for 26 Weeks in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." AstraZeneca. Phase 2, completed, October 2024 to December 2025 (primary completion), 406 participants. Registry record read October 2, 2026.
[clinicaltrials] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06813781: "Study to Investigate the Effect of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of AZD5004" AstraZeneca. Phase 1, completed, December 2024 to October 2025 (primary completion), 33 participants. Registry record read October 2, 2026.
[clinicaltrials] ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07775404: "A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Elecoglipron in Asian Participants With Obesity or Overweight With or Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus" AstraZeneca. Phase 3, recruiting, August 2026 to April 2028 (primary completion), 351 participants. Registry record read October 2, 2026.
[clinical-trial] Haggag AZ, et al. "Non-clinical and first-in-human characterization of ECC5004/AZD5004, a novel once-daily, oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist." Diabetes Obes Metab, 2025;27(2):551-562. PMID: 39495140.

Related peptides

Semaglutide

A once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.

Orforglipron

Not a peptide: an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, FDA-approved on April 1, 2026 as Foundayo for weight management; at its top dose it cut weight 11.2% over 72 weeks in ATTAIN-1, against 2.1% on placebo.

Danuglipron

⚠ Not a peptide — small molecule. Pfizer's discontinued oral GLP-1 program — halted April 14, 2025 after a single case of potential drug-induced liver injury in a once-daily dose-optimization study, ending Pfizer's second oral GLP-1 failure in as many years. Included in this peptide encyclopedia because the audience frequently searches for it alongside peptide GLP-1 agonists.

Guides & tools

Explore with tools

Glossary → Peptide Comparison → Cost Calculator → Beginner's Guide → All Pipeline peptides →

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.