Obesity Drug Race Heats Up With Over 170 Therapies in Development

The success of Wegovy and Mounjaro has ignited a fierce race to develop next-generation obesity treatments. A new tracker reveals more than 170 drugs in development, with competitors exploring oral formulations, novel mechanisms, and combinations beyond the current GLP-1 injectables. The report,…

The extraordinary commercial success of weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro has injected tremendous energy into the search for new obesity treatments. For the moment, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly remain at the forefront with injectable medications that target receptors of the GLP-1 hormone. These drugs work by mimicking the natural hormone's ability to help people feel full, reducing appetite and leading to weight loss.

But the field is no longer a two-company race. Dozens of other pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms have jumped into the competition, each hoping to capture a share of what promises to be a multi-million dollar market. Their goal is to bring to market drugs that improve upon existing treatments in various ways: offering oral administration instead of injections, providing longer-lasting effects, reducing unpleasant side effects, or delivering additional health benefits beyond weight reduction.

A Vast and Expanding Pipeline

Many of the drugs in the pipeline continue to target receptors for GLP-1, as well as other hormones involved in the regulation of satiety and metabolism. However, a growing number of candidates employ entirely novel mechanisms of action that go beyond hormonal receptor targeting. This diversification reflects the industry's recognition that multiple biological pathways can be exploited to achieve safe and sustainable weight loss.

Novel Strategies Beyond GLP-1

The tracker includes drugs that represent fundamentally different scientific approaches. One prominent bet is on amylin, a hormone that some researchers believe could rival GLP-1 as the next major target for obesity treatment. Another strategy involves gene silencing, a technique that could potentially influence the body's weight regulation at the genetic level. There are also focused efforts on preserving muscle mass during weight loss, addressing a common concern that rapid fat loss often comes at the expense of lean tissue.

Previous articles that accompany the tracker have explored each of these strategies in detail. A single special report titled "the Obesity Revolution" collects the award-winning coverage into one accessible package. The report is available for those interested in a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in obesity research and drug development.

Exclusive Reporting and Author Credits

Allison DeAngelis, Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter, tracks hot startup activity and financing. She is also co-host of The Readout Loud podcast. She is available on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01 and on Twitter @ADeAngelis bio.

J. Emory Parker, Data Editor, is a data journalist with a background in bioinformatics and molecular biology. He can be reached on Signal at jaspar.01 and on Bluesky @jaspar.bsky.social.

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Peptides referenced: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Amylin, GLP-1.