Glp1 Pipeline New Drugs 2026 2028

The GLP-1 medication revolution is just getting started. This GLP-1 pipeline new drugs resource covers the essential information you need to make informed decisions. While semaglutide and tirzepatide have already transformed weight loss treatment, a wave of new drugs is moving through clinical trials right now. This GLP-1 pipeline overview covers every major new drug expected between 2026 and 2028, including survodutide, CagriSema, pemvidutide, amycretin, and more. If you are currently using a GLP-1 medication or considering starting treatment, understanding what is coming next can help you make better decisions about your health.

Key Takeaways: - Survodutide: Boehringer Ingelheim's Dual Agonist - CagriSema: Novo Nordisk's Combination Approach - Pemvidutide: The Dual Agonist From Altimmune - Amycretin: Novo Nordisk's Next Oral Option - Other Pipeline Drugs Worth Watching

Survodutide: Boehringer Ingelheim's Dual Agonist

Survodutide is a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim in partnership with Zealand Pharma. It targets the same glucagon pathway that makes retatrutide so promising, but without the GIP component.

How it works. Survodutide activates both the GLP-1 receptor (reducing appetite) and the glucagon receptor (increasing energy expenditure and fat metabolism). This combination is designed to attack weight from two angles: eat less and burn more.

Clinical trial results. In the phase 2 trial, participants taking survodutide lost an average of up to 18.7% of their body weight over 46 weeks. These results place survodutide between tirzepatide and retatrutide in terms of efficacy.

What makes survodutide particularly interesting is its effect on liver fat. Clinical trials have shown significant reductions in liver fat content, which has led Boehringer Ingelheim to also study it for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious liver condition.

Timeline. Phase 3 trials for obesity are underway. If successful, an FDA submission could come in late 2026 or 2027, with potential approval by 2027 or 2028.

Side effects. Gastrointestinal side effects were common in trials, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The rates were somewhat higher than with semaglutide alone, likely due to the glucagon component. Gradual dose escalation helped manage these effects.

Dosing. Survodutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, similar to current GLP-1 medications. Multiple dose levels have been studied, with higher doses generally producing greater weight loss but also higher rates of side effects.

For context on how semaglutide and tirzepatide compare today, check out our .

CagriSema: Novo Nordisk's Combination Approach

CagriSema combines two medications in a single injection: semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) and cagrilintide (a long-acting amylin analog). This combination targets different appetite-regulating pathways simultaneously.

How it works. You are already familiar with how semaglutide works through the GLP-1 pathway. Cagrilintide mimics amylin, a hormone your pancreas releases alongside insulin after meals. Amylin helps you feel full, slows stomach emptying, and reduces glucagon secretion. Combining these two mechanisms may produce greater appetite suppression than either one alone.

"GLP-1 receptor agonists represent the most significant advance in obesity pharmacotherapy in decades. For the first time, we have medications that produce weight loss approaching what was previously only achievable through bariatric surgery.") Dr. Robert Kushner, MD, Northwestern University, speaking at ObesityWeek 2023

Clinical trial results. The phase 3 REDEFINE trial program has shown impressive results. In one trial, participants achieved average weight loss of approximately 22-25% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Some analyses have shown that CagriSema may produce weight loss that exceeds what semaglutide achieves alone by a meaningful margin.

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Timeline. Novo Nordisk has submitted CagriSema for FDA review. It could receive approval in 2026, making it one of the earliest pipeline drugs to reach patients.

Side effects. The side effect profile is similar to semaglutide, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea being most common. The addition of cagrilintide does not appear to significantly increase gastrointestinal side effects beyond what semaglutide produces alone.

Why it matters. CagriSema could be the most effective injectable weight loss medication available in the near term. Its combination approach represents a trend toward multi-target treatments that may produce better results than single-mechanism drugs.

Pemvidutide: The Dual Agonist From Altimmune

Pemvidutide is another GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, this one developed by Altimmune. While it targets the same receptor pair as survodutide, its molecular structure and dosing differ.

How it works. Like survodutide, pemvidutide activates both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. The GLP-1 activation reduces appetite. The glucagon activation promotes fat burning and increases energy expenditure.

Clinical trial results. In a phase 2 trial, participants taking pemvidutide for 48 weeks lost an average of approximately 10-15% of their body weight, depending on the dose. While these numbers are somewhat lower than survodutide's results, the trial designs and patient populations differed.

Pemvidutide has shown particularly strong effects on liver fat reduction. In one study, participants saw average reductions in liver fat of more than 70%. This has positioned pemvidutide as a potential treatment for MASH as well as obesity.

Timeline. Phase 2b trials have been completed, and Altimmune is preparing for phase 3 studies. A potential FDA approval, if trials succeed, would likely come in 2028 or beyond.

Why it matters. The dual benefit of weight loss and liver fat reduction could make pemvidutide especially valuable for people who have both obesity and fatty liver disease, a combination that affects a significant portion of the population. An estimated 80-100 million Americans have some form of fatty liver disease, and obesity is one of the primary risk factors.

If you want to start treatment with GLP-1 medications that are available now, FormBlends offers personalized compounded options. to explore what is available.

Amycretin: Novo Nordisk's Next Oral Option

Amycretin is a novel molecule from Novo Nordisk that combines GLP-1 and amylin activity in a single compound. It is being developed as both an oral tablet and an injectable.

How it works. Amycretin is designed to activate both GLP-1 receptors and amylin receptors with a single molecule. This is different from CagriSema, which combines two separate molecules. Having both activities built into one compound may offer manufacturing and dosing advantages.

Clinical trial results. Early-phase data for oral amycretin has been remarkable. In a phase 1/2 trial, participants lost an average of approximately 13% of their body weight in just 12 weeks. That rate of weight loss, if sustained, could put amycretin among the most effective oral weight loss medications ever developed.

Timeline. Amycretin is in earlier stages of development than CagriSema or survodutide. Phase 3 trials are expected to begin or be underway by 2026. An FDA approval, assuming positive results, might come in 2028 or later.

Why it matters. If the early-phase results hold up in larger trials, oral amycretin could be the first pill to match or exceed the weight loss efficacy of injectable GLP-1 medications. That would be a major milestone for the field. It would also give Novo Nordisk an oral competitor to Eli Lilly's orforglipron, setting up what could become one of the most competitive pharmaceutical markets in history.

The amylin component is what makes amycretin unique among oral candidates. Amylin works on different brain pathways than GLP-1, providing complementary appetite suppression. This dual mechanism in a single oral molecule is an impressive feat of drug design.

Other Pipeline Drugs Worth Watching

Beyond the major candidates above, several other GLP-1-related drugs are progressing through clinical development.

Orforglipron (Eli Lilly). A small-molecule oral GLP-1 agonist in phase 3 trials. Phase 2 data showed 9-14.7% weight loss over 36 weeks. It does not require empty-stomach dosing, setting it apart from oral semaglutide. For a rundown, read our .

Retatrutide (Eli Lilly). The triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Phase 2 data showed approximately 24% weight loss. Phase 3 trials are underway. This could be the most effective injectable weight loss drug to date.

Ecnoglutide (XWPHARMA). A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist designed for once-monthly injection. Early clinical data is promising, but the drug is still in earlier-phase trials. Monthly dosing could improve adherence for people who find even weekly injections burdensome.

Maritide (Amgen). A long-acting, injectable bispecific molecule that targets both GLP-1 and GIPR receptors. Early data suggests potential for once-monthly dosing. Phase 2 results showed meaningful weight loss with less frequent injections. Monthly dosing would be a significant convenience improvement over weekly injections.

Bimagrumab combinations. Some researchers are studying the combination of GLP-1 medications with bimagrumab, an anti-myostatin antibody that may help preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss. This addresses one of the key concerns about rapid weight loss: losing muscle along with fat. Early data from combination studies suggests that patients may be able to lose primarily fat while maintaining or even building muscle.

Efinopegdutide (Merck/Hanmi). A long-acting GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist. Phase 2 data showed promising weight loss and significant liver fat reduction. Merck is advancing this drug primarily for MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) but weight loss is being studied as a secondary endpoint.

VK2735 (Viking Therapeutics). A dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist being developed in both injectable and oral formulations. Phase 2 data for the injectable version showed approximately 14.7% weight loss over 13 weeks, which is a rapid rate of loss. The oral version is in earlier stages of development.

Key Trends Shaping the GLP-1 Pipeline

Looking across all these pipeline drugs, several trends stand out.

Multi-target approaches are winning. The most effective drugs in the pipeline target two or three receptors simultaneously. Single-target GLP-1 agonists are being outperformed by dual and triple agonists in head-to-head comparisons. This suggests the future of obesity treatment lies in combination approaches.

Oral options are multiplying. The pharmaceutical industry is investing heavily in oral GLP-1 medications. Between orforglipron, oral amycretin, oral VK2735, and higher-dose oral semaglutide, patients may soon have multiple pill options to choose from. This shift will make GLP-1 treatment accessible to the large number of people who avoid injections.

Dosing frequency is decreasing. Monthly options like ecnoglutide and maritide could reduce the treatment burden further. Some companies are even exploring implantable devices that deliver GLP-1 continuously for months at a time.

Muscle preservation is becoming a focus. The concern about losing lean muscle mass during rapid weight loss has led to research into combination therapies. Pairing GLP-1 medications with drugs like bimagrumab that preserve muscle could address one of the biggest criticisms of current weight loss medications.

Beyond weight loss. Many pipeline drugs are being studied for liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and even neurodegenerative conditions. The metabolic benefits of these medications extend far beyond the number on the scale.

What This Pipeline Means for You Right Now

The GLP-1 pipeline is exciting, but it is important to keep perspective. Most of these drugs are still one to three years away from reaching patients. Clinical trials can produce unexpected results. Regulatory timelines can shift. Manufacturing challenges can delay launches.

Here is what we know for certain. Effective GLP-1 medications are available today. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, prepared by licensed US-based 503A pharmacies, offer access to proven treatments at transparent pricing.

The growing pipeline also means that the cost of GLP-1 treatment may decrease over time as competition increases. More drugs competing for market share gives insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers more put to use to negotiate lower prices. That benefits everyone.

The best time to start addressing your weight and metabolic health is now, not when the next drug launches. Every month you wait is a month of potential health improvement you miss out on. You can always discuss transitioning to newer options with your provider as they become available. Starting treatment today does not lock you into one medication forever.

Want to know if you might be a candidate for GLP-1 treatment? Our takes just two minutes and can help you understand your options. Or you can to see what treatment costs with FormBlends.

The future of GLP-1 medications is bright. More options, better efficacy, and greater convenience are all on the horizon. But your wellness plan does not have to wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most promising drug in the GLP-1 pipeline?

Several drugs show strong promise. CagriSema has shown approximately 22-25% weight loss and is closest to FDA approval. Retatrutide showed approximately 24% weight loss in phase 2 but is earlier in development. Amycretin has shown rapid weight loss in early trials as an oral option. The "best" drug depends on what factors matter most: efficacy, convenience, or timeline to availability.

When will new GLP-1 drugs be available?

CagriSema may receive FDA approval in 2026. Orforglipron and survodutide could follow in 2027. Retatrutide and amycretin may arrive in 2027-2028 or later. These timelines depend on clinical trial results and regulatory decisions and could shift in either direction.

Will new GLP-1 drugs be cheaper?

Small-molecule oral drugs like orforglipron may be less expensive to manufacture, which could translate to lower pricing. Increased competition across the GLP-1 category may also put downward pressure on prices over time. However, specific pricing has not been announced for most pipeline drugs.

Should I wait for a new GLP-1 drug or start treatment now?

Most providers recommend starting treatment when you are ready rather than waiting for future options. Current GLP-1 medications are well-studied and effective. You can always discuss transitioning to newer medications with your provider as they become available. Delaying treatment means delaying the health benefits of weight loss.

Are pipeline GLP-1 drugs safer than current options?

All pipeline drugs undergo rigorous safety testing through clinical trials. So far, the safety profiles of most pipeline drugs appear similar to current GLP-1 medications, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most common. Longer-term safety data will accumulate as these drugs progress through trials and, eventually, real-world use.

What's Your Next Move?

You have the information. Now let a licensed provider help you put it into action. FormBlends makes it simple, answer a few questions and get a personalized recommendation.

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Sources & References

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The information in this article is intended for educational use only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication or supplement regimen. FormBlends helps with connections with licensed providers for personalized medical guidance.

Last updated: 2026-03-24