Amycretin, assigned the international nonproprietary name zenagamtide in 2026, is Novo Nordisk's dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and amylin receptor agonist in late-stage development for obesity and weight maintenance. Phase 1 results published in The Lancet earlier in 2026 showed 22% weight reduction at 36 weeks on once-weekly subcutaneous dosing and 13.1% weight loss at 12 weeks on the oral formulation — efficacy that places amycretin within range of tirzepatide and second-generation injectable agents in early data.
Novo Nordisk began recruiting AMAZE-12, the Phase 3 weight-maintenance trial of amycretin, on May 18, 2026. The trial evaluates amycretin specifically for sustained weight maintenance after initial weight loss, distinguishing it from AMAZE-1 (84-week weight-change endpoint). The broader AMAZE Phase 3 program tests both subcutaneous and oral formulations. Amycretin sits within Novo's two-track amylin strategy alongside CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide fixed-dose combination, FDA filing under review with decision expected late 2026). Combined, the amylin axis is Novo's most direct strategic response to Eli Lilly's retatrutide TRIUMPH-1 readout (28.3% mean weight loss at 12 mg, released May 21, 2026). Novo featured new mid-stage zenagamtide data among its 40 abstracts at ADA 2026 (June 5-8, New Orleans).
Stories here cover AMAZE Phase 3 readouts, mechanism studies, the broader Novo Nordisk amylin pipeline (cagrilintide monotherapy and combination), and the competitive landscape against Lilly's incretin combinations. See #novo-nordisk, #cagrisema, and #amylin for adjacent threads.
Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX) announced June 9, 2026 that dosing has been completed in Animal Study #2 (GLP-1-A26-2) evaluating its DehydraTECH oral peptide delivery platform with two next-generation GLP-1 drugs: Eli Lilly's retatrutide (triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist) and Novo Nordisk's amycretin (unimolecular GLP-1/amylin agonist). The study tested formulation enhancements designed to improve DehydraTECH performance and stake intellectual property claims on next-generation oral GLP-1 delivery. The data follows Lexaria's April 23 study launch and feeds the broader oral GLP-1 platform competition with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill (3M US prescriptions in 5 months) and Lilly's orforglipron (Foundayo, approved April 2026). Lexaria's industry update June 17 framed the oral GLP-1 pill segment as 'billions in new industry sales' potential.
Novo Nordisk presented Phase 2 data for zenagamtide (formerly amycretin), its unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, at ADA 2026 in 262 adults with type 2 diabetes randomized across six subcutaneous doses (0.4 to 40 mg) versus placebo. The 40 mg arm cut HbA1c by 1.71 percentage points and reduced body weight by 14.6% at 36 weeks, with nearly 89% of patients reaching HbA1c below 7%. The study met its primary HbA1c endpoint across all doses; Novo plans Phase 3 in H2 2026 and hosted a same-day R&D investor event.
Ahead of the ADA Scientific Sessions (June 5-8, New Orleans), Novo Nordisk previewed 40 abstracts spanning pivotal Phase 3 CagriSema in the REIMAGINE type 2 diabetes program, new mid-stage data for the amylin/GLP-1 agonist zenagamtide (the molecule previously called amycretin), and IcoSema and semaglutide analyses. Novo said its obesity and diabetes products reached 45.3 million patients by March 2026, with obesity up 58% year over year, and will host an R&D investor event June 7.
Industry commentary May 22 framed Novo Nordisk's strategic response to retatrutide's TRIUMPH-1 readout as a two-track amylin strategy. CagriSema (cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg) is the near-term play — Phase 3 REDEFINE-1 and REDEFINE-2 complete, FDA filing under review with decision expected late 2026, and Novo positioning the safety profile as the competitive edge after REDEFINE-4 missed non-inferiority versus tirzepatide 15 mg in February 2026. Amycretin (dual GLP-1/amylin agonist) is the long-term bet — AMAZE-12 Phase 3 began recruiting May 18 testing the dual agonist for weight maintenance, with Phase 1 results showing 22% weight loss at 36 weeks weekly subcutaneous and 13.1% at 12 weeks oral. The CagriSema higher-dose Phase 3 starts H2 2026; REDEFINE-11 reads out H1 2027. Combined, the amylin axis is structurally Novo's most direct response to Lilly's triple-agonist mechanism — adding amylin tone (slower gastric emptying, satiety persistence, weight-maintenance) rather than competing on glucagon-driven energy expenditure.
Novo Nordisk's AMAZE-12 Phase 3 trial of amycretin — a dual GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist — began recruiting on May 18, 2026. The trial evaluates amycretin specifically for weight maintenance after initial weight loss, distinguishing it from AMAZE-1 (which measures body weight change over 84 weeks). The amycretin clinical rationale rests on Phase 1 weekly subcutaneous dosing producing 22% weight reduction at 36 weeks and oral formulation producing 13.1% at 12 weeks — both reported in the Lancet earlier in 2026. Amycretin sits within Novo's next-generation pipeline alongside CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide, FDA filing under review with decision expected late 2026) and the orexin-related pipeline acquired via Centessa. The amycretin program is structurally Novo's most direct response to Lilly's retatrutide.
MBX Biosciences (Nasdaq: MBX) released a May 11 obesity portfolio update covering three programs. MBX 4291, a GLP-1/GIP co-agonist prodrug, posted preliminary blinded Phase 1 MAD Part B data showing a T1/2Cmax1 of ~26 days, consistent with true once-monthly dosing; 12-week MAD Part C data expected Q4 2026. MBX 5765, a new amycretin prodrug combining GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, and DACRA (dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist) activity in a single construct, is in IND-enabling studies starting Q2 2026. Once-weekly imapextide hit proof of concept in the Phase 2a STEADI trial in post-bariatric hypoglycemia, with glucose nadir increased 17-34% across doses and insulin peak decreased 11-45% — directly competing with Amylyx's avexitide (Phase 3 LUCIDITY topline Q3 2026) for the same indication.