June 21 (Reuters) - Overweight patients given an

experimental weight loss drug being developed by China's Sciwind

Biosciences lost an average of 10% to 15% of their body weight,

roughly in line with results from a similar drug sold by Novo

Nordisk , according to a late-stage study published on

Saturday.

The drug, called ecnoglutide, belongs to a class of drugs

that include Novo's Wegovy called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which

work by helping control blood sugar levels and triggering a

feeling of fullness.

"It's going to be competitive," said Dr. Tricia Tan of

Imperial College London, who wrote a piece accompanying the data

which appeared in medical journal The Lancet.

Tan said additional GLP-1s on the market could potentially

drive prices down and improve access globally.

"It's great to have competition in the market. It's been

extremely frustrating - I work in the National Health Service

and patients are not getting access to these drugs."

Patients have seen even better results with Eli Lilly's ( LLY )

Zepbound, which stimulates GLP-1 as well as a second gut

hormone called GIP. More than 20% weight loss was reported in

clinical trials.

According to the Sciwind Phase 3 study, 499 patients were

given 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg of ecnoglutide as a subcutaneous

injection once weekly for 48 weeks, with 165 patients assigned

to receive a placebo. The study was conducted at 36 medical

centers across China.

The patients who received the 1.2 mg dose lost an average of

9.9% of their body weight after 48 weeks, and those who received

the 1.8 mg dose lost an average of 13.3% of their body weight.

Patients on the 2.4 mg dose lost an average of 15.4% of their

body weight.

The patients on placebo lost an average of 0.3% of their

body weight over the period.

The side-effect profile is not significantly different from

the other weight loss drugs. Many of the patients given

ecnoglutide experienced decreased appetite and gastrointestinal

problems, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, the study

authors wrote.