Over 15 GLP-1-based compounds are in clinical development for obesity, ranging from pure GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide) to dual and triple hormone combinations targeting GLP-1 plus glucagon, GIP, and/or amylin receptors.
15+ compounds in pipelineThe GLP-1 obesity pipeline includes over 15 compounds from pure GLP-1 to multi-receptor drugs, with semaglutide 2.4 mg as the benchmark for comparison
What the researchers found
15+ GLP-1-based compounds in clinical obesity development: mono-GLP-1 (semaglutide, PF-0688296, glutazumab), dual (tirzepatide, cotadutide, efinopegdutide, AMG 133), and multi-receptor (CagriSema, HM15211). Semaglutide positioned as the clinical benchmark.
Why it matters
The obesity drug market is undergoing a revolution. Understanding the pipeline helps patients and clinicians anticipate future treatment options that may produce even greater weight loss than current drugs.
The numbers in context
>15 compounds; semaglutide benchmark; tirzepatide GLP-1/GIP; cotadutide GLP-1/glucagon; cagrilintide+semaglutide; 1.1B projected obese by 2030
How the study worked
Expert review of GLP-1 receptor agonist-based compounds in clinical development for obesity treatment, covering mechanisms, development stages, and clinical pipeline.
Who was studied
Review of clinical development pipeline for obesity
What this study cannot tell us
Pipeline review — many compounds are in early clinical development and may not reach market. Clinical efficacy varies widely between compounds. Long-term safety of multi-hormone combinations unknown.
How to read the evidence
Not applicable (pipeline review). Based on published clinical trial data and development-stage information for each compound.
When this study was published
Published 2021. Since then, tirzepatide has been approved for obesity and several pipeline compounds have advanced or been discontinued.
The bigger picture
The GLP-1 obesity drug space is the most active pharmaceutical pipeline in history. Multi-receptor approaches are expected to achieve weight loss approaching surgical levels, potentially transforming obesity from a lifelong condition to a treatable disease.
Questions still open
- Which multi-hormone combination will produce the greatest weight loss with acceptable side effects?
- Will any of these compounds achieve surgical-level weight loss (>25%)?
- How will pricing and access affect the obesity treatment landscape?
Common questions
What new weight loss drugs are coming?
Will future GLP-1 drugs be better than Ozempic?
Read the original research
Emerging glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity.
Expert opinion on emerging drugs, 26(3), 231-243
Citation
Jepsen, Mathies M; Christensen, Mikkel B. (2021). Emerging glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity.. Expert opinion on emerging drugs, 26(3), 231-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/14728214.2021.1947240