Semaglutide: The Weekly GLP-1 That Redefined Obesity Care
FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. ~15% mean weight loss in adults with obesity at 68 weeks.
Weight-Loss Peptides: GLP-1s and Beyond
Injectable GLP-1 agonists and their successors dominate modern obesity medicine. This category covers approved drugs (liraglutide, dulaglutide, orforglipron [Foundayo, April 2026]), next-generation dual/triple agonists (tirzepatide, retatrutide, survodutide), late-stage candidates (CagriSema — NDA filed Dec 2025, MariTide, amycretin), the muscle-sparing antibody bimagrumab, the rare-disease MC4R agonist setmelanotide, and failed or fringe agents (adipotide, AOD-9604).
Peptides in this category
Tirzepatide: Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonist (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
First approved dual incretin — GIP + GLP-1. ~21% mean weight loss at 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1).
Liraglutide: The First Daily GLP-1 for Obesity (Victoza, Saxenda)
Once-daily GLP-1 agonist. Victoza (T2D, 2010), Saxenda (obesity, 2014). ~5–8% mean weight loss at one year.
Dulaglutide: Weekly GLP-1 for Type 2 Diabetes (Trulicity)
GLP-1 agonist fused to an IgG4-Fc fragment. Once-weekly, FDA-approved for T2D and CV risk reduction.
Survodutide: Dual Glucagon/GLP-1 Agonist (Boehringer Ingelheim)
Weekly GCGR/GLP-1 dual agonist in Phase 3 for obesity, MASH, T2D. ~19% weight loss at 46 weeks in Phase 2.
Retatrutide
Eli Lilly's triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist — the most impressive Phase 2 weight-loss numbers published so far, in a drug that remains strictly investigational
Orforglipron: The First Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Agonist
Non-peptide GLP-1 agonist in Phase 3. Daily oral pill, no food/water restrictions. ~15% weight loss in Phase 2.
CagriSema: Semaglutide + Cagrilintide Fixed-Dose Combination
Dual therapy combining a GLP-1 agonist and an amylin analogue. ~23% weight loss at 68 weeks in Phase 3 REDEFINE-1.
MariTide (AMG 133): Monthly GLP-1R Agonist / GIPR Antagonist
Amgen’s bispecific peptide-antibody conjugate combining GLP-1 agonism with GIP receptor blockade. Monthly dosing, Phase 3 ongoing.
Amycretin: Oral/Subcutaneous Dual GLP-1 + Amylin Agonist
Novo Nordisk investigational peptide combining GLP-1 and amylin agonism in a single molecule. Early-phase results show rapid weight loss.
Bimagrumab: Anti-Activin Receptor mAb for Fat Loss with Muscle Preservation
Monoclonal antibody blocking ActRII receptors. Originally for sarcopenia; repurposed for obesity — loses fat while preserving or increasing muscle.
Setmelanotide (Imcivree): MC4R Agonist for Genetic Obesity
Cyclic peptide agonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor. FDA-approved for specific rare genetic obesity syndromes.
AOD-9604: hGH Fragment 176-191 Analogue for Fat Loss
Modified fragment of human growth hormone marketed as a fat-loss peptide. Human trials did not support efficacy; widely sold in grey market.
Adipotide (FTPP): Peptidomimetic Targeting White Adipose Vasculature
Experimental peptide that selectively destroys blood vessels feeding white fat. Dramatic rodent and monkey results; never advanced in humans for obesity.
hGH Fragment 176-191: Native C-Terminal Fragment of Growth Hormone
Unmodified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone. Rodent lipolysis data; no approved human use. Closely related to AOD-9604.