Drugmakers Race to Develop Six New Weight-Loss Drugs
Major pharmaceutical companies are advancing a pipeline of new obesity treatments as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Weight Loss
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Multiple pharmaceutical companies are developing six new weight-loss drugs, following a boom in GLP-1 treatments that has prompted many firms to enter the market. Reuters surveyed the pipeline, which includes candidates from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Viking Therapeutics, Pfizer, Amgen, and Roche.
Why it matters
The surge in development reflects strong commercial and clinical interest in obesity treatments beyond current GLP-1 options. Because several candidates are still in trials with no approval status, patients and health systems face an uncertain timeline for new options.
In a clinical trial, participants taking Roche's enicepatide lost an average of 15.5% of their body weight, while MariTide yearlong trial participants lost 20%. Approval status and long-term outcomes for several candidates remain unknown, with Roche's late-stage trials not reporting until early 2027.
The players
Eli Lilly
A major U.S. pharmaceutical company that has become a leader in the GLP-1 obesity drug market.
Novo Nordisk
A Danish pharmaceutical company best known for developing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Roche
A Swiss pharmaceutical giant developing enicepatide, a dual-acting obesity and Type 2 diabetes treatment.
Amgen
A U.S. biotechnology company whose MariTide candidate is in six late-stage trials for obesity and related conditions.
The details
Eli Lilly is developing EloraTZP, Foundayo, and retatrutide, while Novo Nordisk is advancing Amycretin and Cagrisema. Amgen's MariTide, which blocks GIP receptors, is being tested in six late-stage trials covering obesity and related conditions, and Roche's enicepatide targets both obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Timeline
January: A study found MariTide weight loss was maintained after less frequent dosing.
Early 2027: Two late-stage Roche enicepatide trials are pending, including a glycemic control study and a cardiovascular study.
Market Landscape
The pipeline expansion extends the GLP-1 boom that began with semaglutide and tirzepatide, moving competition toward new mechanisms like GIP receptor blockade and dual-acting peptides. Companies are racing to differentiate in a market where first-generation drugs have already established strong commercial demand.
New obesity drugs in development could expand treatment options for people managing weight and Type 2 diabetes. Patients should discuss with their clinicians whether currently available options fit their needs, as several candidates have no approval timeline yet.
The takeaway
Pipeline growth suggests more choices for obesity treatment ahead, but timelines remain uncertain. Readers should track approval news from regulators before assuming new options are available.
What happens next
Roche's two late-stage enicepatide trials, covering glycemic control and cardiovascular outcomes, are pending in early 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Weight Loss developments and treatment options.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsNation.
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