Peptide library · Weight & metabolism
Cagrilintide
Long acting amylin analog · Novo Nordisk
Phase 310.8%average weight loss at 26 weeks on the top dose in a 706 person phase 2 trial, vs about 3% on placebo
What it is
A long acting version of amylin, a fullness hormone your pancreas releases alongside insulin. It works on appetite through a different pathway than GLP-1 drugs.
Why researchers are interested
- On its own, the top dose beat liraglutide (Saxenda) head to head: 10.8% vs 9.0% weight loss.
- Paired with semaglutide (as CagriSema) it reached 20.4% average weight loss in phase 3.
- Because it acts on a separate pathway, researchers see it as a partner for GLP-1 drugs.
Good to know
- Investigational. Not FDA approved on its own.
- Stomach side effects were the most common, as with GLP-1 drugs.
Evidence level: 4 of 5
Sources
Lancet 2021 (cagrilintide phase 2, Enebo et al.); NEJM 2025 (REDEFINE 1)
Get the weekly research brief
New trials, FDA decisions and plain language breakdowns every Thursday. Free, plus the GLP-1 cheat sheet when you join.
Join freeRelated profiles
Educational content only. Not medical advice. Last reviewed 2026-10-17.