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The GLP-1 pipeline: every weight-loss peptide in development (2026)
A complete guide to the next generation of weight-loss peptides beyond Wegovy and Zepbound — including retatrutide, CagriSema, amycretin, survodutide, VK2735, and what happened to Pfizer’s danuglipron.
By GLP-1 Scout Editorial Team · Published April 5, 2026
The weight-loss drug landscape is evolving faster than at any point in pharmaceutical history. Beyond the three approved injectable GLP-1s (Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda) and two approved oral options (Wegovy pill, Foundayo), at least eight molecules are in Phase 2 or Phase 3 development. Some target new receptor combinations, others aim for oral convenience, and one — retatrutide — has already produced 28.7% weight loss in Phase 3. This guide covers every significant pipeline candidate, what distinguishes them, and when they might reach patients.
The receptor landscape: understanding the approaches
Current and pipeline drugs differ by which receptors they activate. Each combination produces a different balance of appetite suppression, metabolic rate increase, and organ-specific effects:
Pure GLP-1: semaglutide, liraglutide, orforglipron. Appetite suppression and gastric slowing.
Dual GIP/GLP-1: tirzepatide, VK2735. Adds insulin sensitivity and fat distribution effects.
Dual glucagon/GLP-1: survodutide, pemvidutide. Adds metabolic rate increase and liver fat mobilization.
Triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon: retatrutide. All three pathways simultaneously.
Amylin/GLP-1: CagriSema (combination), amycretin (co-agonist). Adds amylin-mediated satiety.
| Drug | Company | Mechanism | Max weight loss | Phase | Expected availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Eli Lilly | GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon | -28.7% (68 wk, Ph3) | Phase 3 | Late 2027 / early 2028 |
| CagriSema | Novo Nordisk | Amylin + GLP-1 combo | -22.7% (68 wk, Ph3) | NDA filed | Late 2026 / early 2027 |
| Amycretin | Novo Nordisk | Amylin/GLP-1 co-agonist | -22% (36 wk, Ph1b/2a) | Phase 2→3 | TBD (Phase 3 starting 2026) |
| Survodutide | Boehringer Ingelheim | Glucagon + GLP-1 | -18.7% (46 wk, Ph2) | Phase 3 | TBD (no results yet) |
| VK2735 | Viking Therapeutics | GLP-1 + GIP | -14.7% (13 wk, Ph2) | Phase 3 | TBD (enrolled, results pending) |
| Ecnoglutide | Sciwind | cAMP-biased GLP-1 | -15.4% (48 wk, Ph3) | Phase 3 | 2026 (China likely first) |
| Danuglipron | Pfizer | Non-peptide oral GLP-1 | — | Discontinued | Shelved April 2025 |
CagriSema: Novo Nordisk’s amylin combination
CagriSema combines cagrilintide (a long-acting amylin analogue) with semaglutide in a single weekly injection. Amylin is a pancreatic hormone that provides additional satiety signaling beyond what GLP-1 alone achieves. The REDEFINE 1 Phase 3 trial showed 22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks, with 60% of patients losing 20% or more. However, CagriSema missed Novo Nordisk’s internal target of approximately 25%, and in the head-to-head REDEFINE 4 trial, it lost to tirzepatide (23% vs 25.5%). Novo filed its NDA in December 2025; an FDA decision is expected late 2026 or early 2027.
Amycretin: Novo’s single-molecule alternative
Where CagriSema is two drugs in one syringe, amycretin is a single molecule that activates both amylin and GLP-1 receptors. Early Phase 1b/2a data showed 22% weight loss in just 36 weeks (subcutaneous), with the oral formulation producing 13% loss at just 12 weeks in a small cohort. Novo considers amycretin its most promising next-gen candidate. Both oral and injectable formulations are advancing to Phase 3 in 2026.
Survodutide: the liver-fat specialist
Survodutide from Boehringer Ingelheim is a dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist (similar to retatrutide but without GIP). Its Phase 2 showed 18.7% weight loss at 46 weeks, but its standout data is in MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis): 62% of patients on 4.8 mg achieved MASH resolution versus 14% on placebo. The Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE program is ongoing across 14 countries with no results yet. The main concern is a 25% discontinuation rate at the highest dose.
VK2735: the acquisition target
Viking Therapeutics’ VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist (same target profile as tirzepatide) showing 14.7% weight loss at just 13 weeks in Phase 2 — a strong trajectory. Phase 3 enrollment is complete for both the obesity and diabetes trials, with results pending. An oral formulation showed 12.2% at 13 weeks. Viking is an independent biotech widely discussed as a potential acquisition target.
Danuglipron: what went wrong at Pfizer
Pfizer discontinued danuglipron in April 2025 after a single case of potential drug-induced liver injury tipped the risk-benefit assessment negative. Combined with earlier tolerability issues with a twice-daily formulation, Pfizer concluded the molecule was not viable. This was Pfizer’s second failed attempt at an oral GLP-1, leaving the oral space to Eli Lilly’s Foundayo.