Amgen MariTide Consolidates as Sole Obesity Focus After AMG 513 Discontinuation; Late-Stage GLP-1-to-MariTide Switch Trial Underway
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) continued through September 2026 the consolidation of its obesity portfolio around MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide, a monthly subcutaneous injectable antibody-peptide conjugate combining GLP-1 receptor agonist activity via the peptide component with GIP receptor antagonism via the antibody component) following the July 29, 2026 Q2 disclosure that Phase 1 AMG 513 development was halted. Amgen has launched a late-stage program specifically to test whether patients currently on weekly GLP-1 injections can be switched to monthly MariTide with equivalent efficacy and comparable tolerability — a differentiation strategy that uses the monthly dosing convenience as a switch driver rather than a first-line efficacy claim. Amgen expects to file for MariTide regulatory approval in late 2026 to early 2027. Six Phase 3 MariTide trials are enrolling across obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obstructive sleep apnea. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst commentary earlier in 2026 had flagged a 4% bone mineral density decline signal from Phase 1 as a concern; Phase 3 data on bone health will factor into commercial positioning.