Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, is one of the largest US biotech companies and a top peptide-adjacent sponsor through its PCSK9, obesity, osteoporosis, and severe-asthma franchises. Amgen commercialized the first PCSK9 antibody (Repatha, evolocumab) in 2015, which reached Q2 2026 net revenues of $953 million (+37% year-over-year) alongside cardiovascular outcomes evidence from FOURIER.
The MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide) obesity program is the current pipeline anchor. MariTide is a monthly-injectable antibody-peptide conjugate targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, differentiated from the weekly incretin incumbents by administration frequency and mechanism. Phase 2 data at ADA 2025 documented 16-20% weight loss over one year with a distinctive feature: much of the weight loss persisted after dosing stopped. Phase 3 trials (MARITIME-1 obesity, MARITIME-CV cardiovascular outcomes, MARITIME-HF heart failure) are underway with readouts expected 2026-2028. Analyst scrutiny persists on the 4% bone mineral density decline observed in MariTide Phase 1 data as a potential regulatory hurdle and safety consideration relative to GLP-1 receptor agonist competitors.
Beyond obesity, Amgen's Q2 2026 growth portfolio delivered EVENITY (romosozumab for osteoporosis) at $714 million (+38% YoY), TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab for severe asthma) at $486 million (+42%), and UPLIZNA (inebilizumab for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder) at $335 million (+90%). Full-year 2026 revenue guidance was raised to $38.2-39.4 billion at the August 4 Q2 report. Stories here cover Amgen trial readouts, franchise commercial performance, and pipeline advances across the peptide-adjacent portfolio. See [[maritide]], [[repatha]], and [[evenity]] for adjacent threads.
The peptide-and-obesity Q2 2026 earnings week (Merck August 4, Pfizer August 4, Amgen August 4, Eli Lilly August 5, Novo Nordisk H1 August 4-5) delivered mixed signals across the pharma sector. Merck (NYSE: MRK) posted $16.61 billion Q2 revenue (+5% YoY, beat consensus by $250M), raised FY revenue guidance to $66.3-67.3 billion but cut adjusted EPS guidance to $2.66-2.76 due to a $5.7 billion Terns Pharmaceuticals acquisition charge; Keytruda reached $8.37 billion (+5%) and LIPFENDRA (enlicitide) launched at $315/month with $5 billion peak sales potential by 2034. Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) reported $15 billion revenue and $0.77 adjusted diluted EPS, raised FY revenue guidance midpoint to $60.5-62.5 billion, and CEO Bourla said the obesity program (danuglipron plus Metsera pipeline) is advancing with substantial momentum. Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) reported $10.05 billion Q2 revenue (+10% YoY), raised FY guidance to $38.2-39.4 billion, discontinued AMG 513 early-stage obesity candidate leaving MariTide as sole obesity focus. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) delivered $23 billion Q2 revenue (+48% YoY blowout), raised FY guidance to $85-87 billion, Mounjaro reached $9.9 billion (+91%), Zepbound $4.9 billion US (+44%), and Foundayo generated $98 million in first fully operational commercial quarter. Novo Nordisk H1 reached 78.49 billion DKK ($12.09 billion, +3% CER) with Wegovy pill at 5 million+ prescriptions and raised guidance; NVO shares fell 5% on margin concerns. Alnylam (NASDAQ: ALNY) extended a 30% selloff (approximately $12 billion market cap lost) since the July 30 Q2 report on the Amvuttra TTR guidance cut plus eplontersen setback.
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) followed its Tuesday August 4, 2026 Q2 earnings beat with the Wednesday August 5 disclosure that the company is ending development of AMG 513, an early-stage obesity candidate. The discontinuation allows MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide, the monthly-injectable antibody-peptide conjugate targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors) to remain the sole obesity focus in the Amgen pipeline as it advances through the Phase 3 MARITIME program (MARITIME-1 obesity, MARITIME-CV cardiovascular outcomes, MARITIME-HF heart failure). Amgen's Q2 2026 revenue reached $10.05 billion (+10% YoY) with adjusted EPS of $6.29 (+4% YoY, beating the $5.62 consensus). Full-year 2026 guidance was raised to $38.2-39.4 billion revenue (midpoint $38.8 billion versus $37.7 billion consensus) with adjusted EPS guidance of $22.30-23.50. Management emphasized the potential of upcoming data readouts for MariTide, Olpasiran (Lp(a)-lowering siRNA), and Xaluritamig (prostate cancer BiTE) to drive future growth beyond the established Repatha (PCSK9), EVENITY (osteoporosis), TEZSPIRE (severe asthma), and UPLIZNA (neuromyelitis optica) franchises. AMG 513 mechanism and stage details were not extensively disclosed, but the discontinuation signals disciplined pipeline management focused on the higher-conviction MariTide bet.
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) reported Q2 2026 earnings Tuesday August 4, 2026 with a beat and raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $38.2-39.4 billion (midpoint $38.8 billion above the $37.7 billion analyst consensus). Adjusted EPS guidance is $22.30-23.50 (midpoint $22.90 above the $22.35 consensus). Growth-portfolio product performance drove the beat: Repatha (evolocumab, PCSK9 monoclonal antibody) reached $953 million (+37% year-over-year); EVENITY (romosozumab for osteoporosis) $714 million (+38%); TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab for severe asthma) $486 million (+42%); UPLIZNA (inebilizumab for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder) $335 million (+90%). The MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide, monthly-injectable antibody-peptide conjugate targeting GLP-1 and GIPR) Phase 3 obesity program continues advancing with multiple trials across weight management, cardiovascular outcomes, and heart failure indications; earnings-call commentary described 2026 as a year of disciplined MariTide data generation. Analyst scrutiny remains on the 4% bone mineral density decline observed in Phase 1 MariTide data (per Cantor Fitzgerald analysis) as a potential regulatory hurdle and safety disadvantage versus GLP-1 receptor agonist competitors. Amgen shares closed up 3.03% on August 4.
Amgen reported Q1 2026 revenue of $8.6 billion (+6%) on April 30 alongside an obesity-pipeline update. MariTide — a peptide-antibody conjugate that activates the GLP-1 receptor and antagonizes the GIP receptor with monthly or less frequent dosing — has the Phase 3 MARITIME-1 study ongoing in adults with obesity or overweight, and Amgen has now launched the MARITIME-2 EXTENSION study to evaluate weight-loss maintenance. Three Phase 3 studies of MariTide in people with type 2 diabetes are planned to start in 2026, alongside a Phase 2b liver-fat-reduction study and the Phase 1 study of follow-on candidate AMG 513 in obesity.
Ahead of Amgen's April 30 Q1 2026 earnings release, analyst coverage highlighted MariTide as the company's most closely-watched pipeline asset. The bispecific GLP-1 RA / GIPR antagonist delivered up to 20% weight loss at 52 weeks in Phase 2 and is now enrolled across six global Phase 3 trials — with monthly, bi-monthly, and potentially quarterly dosing as its primary commercial differentiator against weekly GLP-1s. Amgen recorded $35.1 billion in 2025 product sales (+10%), and MariTide headline data from the Phase 3 program is expected to begin reading out in 2027.