Short answer: For a decade, obesity research has been a GLP-1 story. The next wave keeps GLP-1 as the backbone and adds other entero-pancreatic hormone pathways - GIP (as an agonist, or unusually as an antagonist), glucagon, and amylin - through dual agonists, triple agonists, peptide-antibody conjugates, and amylin analogues. This hub maps the mechanisms and links every compound profile. Everything here is research use only.
The blockbuster GLP-1 receptor agonists proved a point: gut-hormone signalling can drive substantial, sustained weight reduction in research. The obvious next question - the one the entire field is now testing - is whether adding hormones to GLP-1 does even better. This page is the map: the mechanisms in play, why each one matters, and how today's research candidates fit together.
Plain-English summary. Every compound named here is a research-stage or investigational molecule, not a medicine you can buy or use. The descriptions below cover published preclinical and clinical-trial findings for laboratory and educational context. New-U supplies research-use-only material and does not provide dosing, medical, or human-use guidance.
GLP-1 monotherapy (semaglutide) established the category. Adding a second receptor - GIP, in tirzepatide - was associated with greater weight reduction in research, which reframed the field around multi-receptor and multi-hormone design. The current generation asks which combinations of complementary pathways (GIP, glucagon, amylin) produce the biggest, most durable, best-tolerated effect.
An incretin hormone studied for appetite regulation, glucose homeostasis, gastric emptying, and satiety. It remains the backbone of almost every next-generation candidate.
GIP is the second incretin. Here the field genuinely disagrees: tirzepatide activates the GIP receptor, while Amgen's MariTide blocks it. Both approaches are under study for weight reduction - a live test of GIP's direction of effect.
Long associated with raising blood glucose, glucagon is now researched for energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and liver-fat metabolism. It is the third arm of the triple agonist retatrutide and the second arm of survodutide, whose liver focus opens a distinct MASH research angle.
A hormone co-secreted with insulin, associated with satiety and meal termination. Amylin is the breakout mechanism of this wave: amylin analogues (petrelintide, cagrilintide) and amylin+GLP-1 candidates (CagriSema, amycretin) are among the most closely watched programs in metabolic research.
How today's research compounds map onto these mechanisms (status is indicative and subject to ongoing trials and regulatory review):
| Compound | Developer | Mechanism | Format | Indicative stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | Novo Nordisk | GLP-1 | Weekly SC / oral | Approved |
| Tirzepatide | Eli Lilly | GLP-1 + GIP agonist | Weekly SC | Approved |
| Retatrutide | Eli Lilly | GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon (triple) | Weekly SC | Phase 3 |
| MariTide | Amgen | GLP-1 agonist + GIP antagonist | Monthly SC | Phase 3 |
| CagriSema | Novo Nordisk | GLP-1 + amylin (two molecules) | Weekly SC | Phase 3 |
| Amycretin | Novo Nordisk | GLP-1 + amylin (single molecule) | Oral & SC | Earlier-stage |
| Survodutide | Boehringer / Zealand | GLP-1 + glucagon | Weekly SC | Phase 3 |
| Petrelintide | Zealand / Roche | Amylin (amylin-only) | Weekly SC | Phase 2 |
The pattern is clear: GLP-1 is no longer the whole story, it is the platform. The open research questions are which second or third pathway adds the most value, whether a single molecule beats a combination, whether amylin can stand alone, and whether longer dosing intervals (monthly) or oral formats reshape the field. Expect the answers to arrive trial by trial over the next several years.
What comes after GLP-1 in obesity research?
Candidates that add GIP (agonist or antagonist), glucagon, and/or amylin to GLP-1 - via dual/triple agonists, peptide-antibody conjugates, and amylin analogues.
Dual vs triple agonist?
A dual agonist hits two receptors (e.g. tirzepatide: GLP-1 + GIP); a triple hits three (retatrutide: GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon).
Why is amylin suddenly important?
It is a satiety-associated hormone; amylin analogues and amylin+GLP-1 candidates are among the most watched programs of this wave. None are approved for human use.
Research use disclaimer. This content is intended for scientific discussion and educational purposes only. No medical advice, treatment recommendations, dosing guidance, or human-use instructions are provided.
New-U Research Compounds supplies sealed 10-vial packs, independently verified by Janoshik and Freedom Diagnostics for >99% purity, with a Certificate of Analysis. Research use only - not for human consumption.
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