Chugai in-licenses GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist CT-388

13 October 2025

Japanese drugmaker Chugai Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4519) has concluded a license agreement with Roche (ROG: SIX) for CT-388, a long-acting GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, currently in development for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Under the license agreement between its majority shareholder Roche, Chugai obtained exclusive rights for the development and marketing of CT-388 in Japan. In return, Roche will receive an upfront fee and milestone payments.

Roche gained rights to CT-388 via the $2.7 billion acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics in 2023, when it joined other pharma majors looking to share in the massive obesity and diabetes sector currently dominated by Novo Nordisk’s (NOV: N) semaglutide and Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ) tirzepatide. Peak sales of over $3 billion are forecast for CT-388.

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