Weight management

Synthetic long-acting amylin analog being developed in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema). Phase 3 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes are ongoing. No marketing approval yet.

CagriSema is a fixed-dose combination of the amylin analogue cagrilintide and the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide (Novo Nordisk), in late-stage development for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Ecnoglutide (XW003) is a long-acting, cAMP-signalling-biased GLP-1 analogue from Sciwind Biosciences. Derived from GLP-1(7-37) with an alanine-to-valine substitution at position 8, it activates the GLP-1 receptor selectively via the cAMP pathway over β-arrestin recruitment. Investigated for weight management and in type 2 diabetes.

Efinopegdutide (MK-6024, formerly JNJ-64565111 / HM12525A) is a once-weekly dual agonist at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, developed by Hanmi and Merck. It has been studied for obesity and notably for metabolic liver disease (MASH/NAFLD); a phase-2 trial showed greater liver-fat reduction than semaglutide. Investigational, not approved.

Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid pancreatic hormone produced by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. It is the physiological counterpart to insulin and raises blood glucose via hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. It is approved as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia and as a diagnostic aid; its receptor is also a target of modern dual and triple incretin agonists.

GLP-1 receptor agonist with a half-life of about 13 hours. The first daily (not weekly) modern GLP-1 RA — approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes (2010) and Saxenda for obesity (2014).

Synthetic oxyntomodulin analogue that simultaneously activates the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors (dual agonist). Developed by Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly. In China the NMPA approved mazdutide on 27 June 2025 for chronic weight management; a further filing for type 2 diabetes is under review in China. Outside China the substance remains in clinical development.

Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of the hormone amylin. It is used as an adjunct to mealtime insulin therapy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and, among other things, slows gastric emptying.

Synthetic triagonist peptide that simultaneously activates the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. Developed by Eli Lilly; in phase-3 trials for obesity (TRIUMPH programme) and type 2 diabetes. No marketing approval yet.

Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist. Approved as a medicinal product for type-2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus), chronic weight management (Wegovy) and cardiovascular risk in obesity. One of the best-studied substances on this platform — many large human RCTs.

Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree) is a synthetic cyclic octapeptide and an agonist at the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). It was developed and approved as a prescription medicine for chronic weight management in rare genetic forms of obesity within the MC4R signalling pathway (including POMC, PCSK1 and LEPR deficiency as well as Bardet-Biedl syndrome). The following information is provided for informational and educational purposes only.

Synthetic peptide that simultaneously activates the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. Developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma; in phase-3 trials for obesity (SYNCHRONIZE) and MASH. No marketing approval yet.

Synthetic peptide that simultaneously activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptor (dual agonist). Approved in the US and EU for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and obesity (Zepbound).

VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist from Viking Therapeutics, in development in both subcutaneous and oral forms for obesity.