The weight-loss drug field is moving fast, with oral pills, triple agonists, and new combinations all advancing. Here is a clear map of what is coming and where each candidate stands.
Quick answer: The most anticipated near-term arrival is orforglipron, Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill, which reported positive phase 3 results and is in regulatory submission, notably without the food and water timing rules of oral semaglutide. Novo Nordisk's CagriSema (cagrilintide plus semaglutide) and amycretin (GLP-1 plus amylin) are advancing, with amycretin earlier in development. Lilly's retatrutide, a triple GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon agonist, is in phase 3. Survodutide, a GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist, is being studied for obesity and liver disease. Timelines can shift with trial and regulatory outcomes.
What new GLP-1 drugs are coming in 2026?
The headline candidate for the nearest term is orforglipron from Eli Lilly. It is an oral small-molecule GLP-1 agonist, which is significant because it is a pill rather than an injection and does not require the strict empty-stomach and water restrictions that oral semaglutide does. Lilly reported positive phase 3 results in both obesity and type 2 diabetes and moved toward regulatory submissions. If approved, an easy-to-take oral GLP-1 could broaden access for people who dislike injections.
Novo Nordisk pipeline: CagriSema and amycretin
Novo Nordisk has two prominent candidates. CagriSema combines cagrilintide, an amylin analog, with semaglutide, aiming for greater weight loss than semaglutide alone. Its phase 3 weight-loss results drew attention, with some observers viewing them as strong but below the highest market expectations. Amycretin is a newer candidate that targets both GLP-1 and amylin receptors and is being developed in oral and injectable forms. Amycretin is earlier in development than CagriSema, but its early data generated interest for its weight-loss potential.
Retatrutide: the triple agonist
Retatrutide is Lilly's triple-receptor agonist, hitting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. In its phase 2 obesity trial published in 2023, the highest dose was associated with about 24% mean body weight reduction at 48 weeks, among the largest figures reported in the drug class studied. It advanced into phase 3 trials. Adding glucagon activity is thought to increase energy expenditure on top of appetite reduction. As an investigational drug, it is not yet approved, and phase 3 results will determine its path.
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Survodutide, developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma, is a GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist. Beyond obesity, it is being studied for metabolic liver disease (MASH), reflecting growing interest in GLP-1-based drugs for liver health. Several other dual and triple agonists and oral candidates are in earlier stages across the industry, so the pipeline beyond these named drugs is broad and active.
GLP-1 pipeline snapshot
| Drug | Maker | Type | Stage (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orforglipron | Eli Lilly | Oral GLP-1 | Submission underway |
| CagriSema | Novo Nordisk | Amylin + GLP-1 | Phase 3 reported |
| Amycretin | Novo Nordisk | GLP-1 + amylin | Earlier development |
| Retatrutide | Eli Lilly | Triple agonist | Phase 3 |
| Survodutide | Boehringer/Zealand | GLP-1 + glucagon | Phase 3, also MASH |
What does this mean for patients?
More options are coming, including pills and drugs that may produce larger weight loss in the drug classes studied. That said, approval timelines can move, and a positive trial does not guarantee quick availability or insurance coverage. For now, the approved injectable GLP-1 and GIP options remain the mainstay. Keeping expectations grounded in what is actually approved and available is wise, while watching the pipeline for what may arrive.
Where FormBlends fits
While newer drugs work through trials, FormBlends connects patients with licensed US pharmacies for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide today. See our semaglutide options or compare providers with our provider comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the next big GLP-1 drug?
Orforglipron, Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill, is among the most anticipated near-term arrivals.
Is there a GLP-1 pill coming?
Yes. Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 in regulatory submission, without oral semaglutide's water and food rules.
What is CagriSema?
A Novo Nordisk combination of cagrilintide (amylin) and semaglutide, with phase 3 results reported.
What is amycretin?
A Novo Nordisk GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist in oral and injectable forms, earlier in development.
How much weight did retatrutide produce in trials?
Its phase 2 trial reported about 24% mean reduction at the highest dose at 48 weeks.
What is survodutide for?
A GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist studied for obesity and metabolic liver disease.
Are any of these approved yet?
Not broadly for weight loss beyond existing drugs as of 2026; several are in late-stage trials or submission.
Sources
- Eli Lilly pipeline and news: https://www.lilly.com/news
- Novo Nordisk pipeline: https://www.novonordisk.com/science-and-technology/r-d-pipeline.html
Related guides
- Glp1 Pipeline New Drugs 2026 2028
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drug Names: The Complete Reference Guide for Every FDA-Approved and Compounded Option
- GLP-1 Manufacturers: Who Makes Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Every FDA-Approved GLP-1 Drug in 2026
- What Is a GLP-1 Medication? The Class, the Hormone, and Every Approved Drug
- GLP-1 telehealth consolidation: which 60 providers wont survive to 2028
- What Kind of Drug Is Ozempic: Class, Mechanism, and How It Differs from Every Other Diabetes Medication
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