CBL-514

CBL-514 is an experimental injection being investigated for reducing fat beneath the skin, especially in the abdomen. Human trials have found smaller fat deposits in treated areas. Questions remain about how long those changes last, other possible health benefits and long-term safety. 1 2

You may have come across the name while looking into peptides. Taylor Tides does not sell CBL-514. This review explains the findings and their limitations to help you understand the research behind the headlines.

Is CBL-514 a peptide?

No; CBL is not a peptide.

Peptides are chains of amino acids, the components joined together to form proteins. CBL-514 contains two compounds of a different kind: curcumin and trans-resveratrol. The formulation used in trials should not be confused with supplements containing those ingredients. 3

Which fat does it target, and how could it work?

The main published trials examine subcutaneous fat, the layer beneath the skin that you can pinch. Visceral fat sits deeper in the abdomen, around the organs. That deeper fat has also been investigated, although the evidence is more limited. 4

CBL-514 is designed to activate a process in which fat cells dismantle themselves and the body clears them away. This controlled form of cell death is called apoptosis. Laboratory and animal findings support the proposed mechanism; they do not demonstrate permanent results in people. 3

An injection directed at one area does not necessarily remain there. Earlier testing detected both active ingredients in the blood. This alone does not demonstrate harm, but it means we cannot claim that other parts of the body have no exposure to the formulation. 5

What did the human trials find?

Although Caliway is headquartered in Taiwan, clinical research on CBL-514 includes centers in the United States. The trial published in 2025 took place in the United States and Australia. 1

Two published trials compared CBL-514 with placebo injections that contained no active ingredients.

The 2025 trial: Of 76 adults randomly assigned to the two groups, 50 were assigned to CBL-514. Eight weeks after the last treatment, 16 of the 23 people assessed in that group had lost at least 150 milliliters of fat in the measured area. None of the 16 people assessed in the placebo group reached that threshold.

This is the source of the 69.6% response rate. It does not mean a 69.6% reduction in fat or describe the outcome for everyone initially assigned to treatment. Only 38 of the 75 people who received injections completed the study. Average body weight changed very little. 1

The 2026 trial: This study assigned 108 adults to CBL-514 or placebo and measured abdominal fat with magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Statistical estimates showed reductions of 20.3% at four weeks and 17.3% at twelve weeks after the last treatment. The placebo estimates showed increases of 0.1% and 0.7%.

However, 42 people left the study. The twelve-week MRI assessment included just 25 people from the CBL-514 group and 22 from the placebo group. Missing follow-up creates uncertainty because those who stay may differ from those who withdraw. 2

These changes concern a measured abdominal area, not equivalent percentages of total body fat or body weight.

Did CBL-514 reduce visceral fat by 22%?

The 22% figure describes a difference between groups. An exploratory analysis brought together small subgroups from two trials, with initial data for 41 people and later follow-up data for 40.

The treated group lost around 10%, not 22%. Some of the difference resulted from fat increasing in the placebo group. 4

The scans covered a specific abdominal region, and the analysis combined assessments at eight and twelve weeks. This conference finding needs confirmation. It does not demonstrate prevention of diabetes or heart disease. 6

What side effects were reported?

Pain, swelling, redness, itching and bruising around injection sites were common. Most reactions were mild or moderate, but some caused people to stop treatment.

In the 2025 trial, 48 of the 49 people given CBL-514 experienced at least one event considered related to treatment. Nine had severe injection-site pain, and two withdrew because of pain or changes in skin color. The paper also described a moderate episode of elevated blood fats, or hyperlipidemia, considered probably treatment-related in someone who already had high cholesterol. 1

In the 2026 trial, injection-site pain affected 38 of the 52 people given CBL-514, compared with 20 of the 55 given placebo. Four in the CBL-514 group withdrew because of local reactions: three with hives and one with pain. 2

Severe and serious have different meanings in clinical research. Severity describes an event’s intensity. The serious classification refers to consequences such as hospitalization, a threat to life or lasting disability. Severe pain can occur without meeting the criteria for a serious event. 7

What about lipomas, Dercum’s disease and lipedema?

Dercum’s disease involves painful fatty tissue, often with noncancerous fatty lumps called lipomas. A lipoma on its own does not establish that diagnosis. 8

In September 2026, Caliway announced greater pain reduction than placebo in a Phase 2 Dercum’s trial, an intermediate stage of testing in people. The company calls the formulation being developed for this disease CBL-514D. The sponsor’s announcement concerns pain relief. It does not show that treatment eliminates every lipoma or prevents others from developing. 9

The company also proposed investigating lipedema, an abnormal accumulation of fat that can cause pain and swelling. Results for Dercum’s disease do not establish a treatment for lipedema. Painful lumps or swelling deserve assessment rather than waiting for a future product whose availability is uncertain.

What other questions remain?

Can it prevent weight regain after GLP-1 treatment? This has not been demonstrated in humans. Rats given CBL-514 with tirzepatide, a weight-management medicine, regained less weight after tirzepatide was stopped. However, they continued receiving CBL-514 for two more weeks. The experiment does not demonstrate lasting protection once both treatments end. 10

Will skin tighten or the result look even? The 2026 trial found better abdominal appearance ratings, but selected people whose skin was in good condition. Fat reduction does not establish reliable correction of loose skin or predictable contours for everyone. 2

How much confidence do the findings deserve? Caliway funded the abdominal-fat trials and took part in their design or interpretation. Independent confirmation, longer follow-up and more complete assessments would strengthen the evidence. The current studies do not rule out uncommon or delayed harms. 1 2

Is CBL-514 FDA approved?

As of October 8, 2026, CBL-514 remains investigational. Caliway announced the start of treatment in SUPREME-01 in September. This Phase 3 trial is a larger, later-stage test of safety and effectiveness. Permission to conduct research is not approval to market a medicine. The sources reviewed give no confirmed launch date. 11 12

What is the price of CBL 514 injections?

No established price for an approved treatment was identified. Some websites advertise products under the CBL 514 name, but their prices do not establish the cost of Caliway’s treatment or verify that their products match the trial formulation.

A useful future price would need to specify whether it covers one visit, a full course or additional clinical charges.

Where can I follow the research?

The official SUPREME-01 trial record includes eligibility criteria and contact information. Enrollment varies by center, so confirm availability with the team named in the record.

For updates from the developer, see Caliway’s CBL-514 information.

The early findings deserve attention. Larger trials and longer follow-up will help establish the benefits and limitations of CBL-514.

Educational Notice

This article provides general educational information, not medical advice, diagnoses or treatment recommendations. It contains no dosing, mixing or injection instructions and does not verify products advertised by other suppliers. A qualified clinician and the relevant study team can help assess whether a trial is appropriate for an individual.

Author: TaylorTides
Medical review status: Not reviewed by a licensed clinician
Research reviewed: October 8, 2026
Published: October 8, 2026

Sources and Further Reading

1. Gold and colleagues, 2025 abdominal-fat trial. Published, sponsor-funded human research.
2. Lorenc and colleagues, 2026 MRI trial. Published, sponsor-funded human research.
3. CBL-0202 public protocol. Ingredients and proposed mechanism.
4. EASD conference account reproduced by Caliway. Exploratory visceral-fat findings.
5. CBL-0203 public protocol. Prior human blood-exposure measurements.
6. Caliway development announcement. Regional imaging and trial-development context.
7. FDA: What is a Serious Adverse Event?
8. NIH: About Dercum Disease
9. Caliway Dercum’s disease results announcement. Sponsor reporting, not independent confirmation.
10. Tirzepatide and CBL-514 animal-study abstract. Rat experiment.
11. SUPREME-01 first-treatment announcement. Sponsor milestone.
12. FDA: Investigational New Drug Application