There are several other promising weight loss drugs currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, besides retatrutide
.
Here’s a list highlighting some of the key candidates
- Orforglipron (Eli Lilly): This is an oral GLP-1 agonist, which unlike injectable GLP-1s, is a small molecule rather than a peptide, potentially making it easier to manufacture in bulk. Early trial data suggests that participants lost up to 15% of their body weight after approximately 8 months.
- CagriSema (Novo Nordisk): This is a combination therapy that combines semaglutide (a GLP-1 agonist, found in Wegovy) with cagrilintide (an amylin analogue) in a once-weekly injectable form. Phase 3 trials have shown significant weight loss, though initial results in December 2024 were slightly lower than predicted. Novo Nordisk is continuing further trials to optimize its potential.
- Survodutide (Boehringer Ingelheim/Zealand Pharma): This injectable acts as a GLP-1 and glucagon co-agonist.
- MariTide (Amgen): This is an injectable that activates GLP-1 receptors while reducing GIP activity. It’s administered monthly, and early data suggests an average weight loss of up to 20% over 52 weeks, with potentially better weight maintenance after stopping treatment compared to other drugs.
This list is not exhaustive, and new candidates are constantly entering the pipeline. It’s a rapidly developing area, and these medications could offer additional options for weight management in the coming years.
