Cagrilintide
unknown riskAlso: AM833 · Long-acting amylin
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk for weight management, primarily in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema). Phase 3 trials are ongoing with promising interim results.
Reported Benefits
Weight Loss
Phase 2 SCALE trials showed 15.6% body weight reduction with cagrilintide 2.4mg weekly.
Metabolic Improvement
Improved glycemic and lipid markers in Phase 2 studies.
Satiety Enhancement
Amylin pathway modulation enhances satiety independently of GLP-1 mechanism.
Mechanism of Action
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog of amylin (a peptide co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells). It activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor/RAMP complexes) in the hypothalamus and brainstem to suppress appetite, reduce gastric emptying, and inhibit glucagon. Combined with semaglutide, it addresses multiple satiety pathways simultaneously.
Key Clinical Studies
Lau J et al. (2021)
Phase 2 RCT · 706 adults with obesity
Dose-dependent weight loss up to 15.6% at 2.4mg dose
Overview
Cagrilintide represents the amylin arm of Novo Nordisk’s weight management pipeline. The rationale for combining it with semaglutide (GLP-1 agonist) is additive mechanism — addressing satiety through two complementary pathways simultaneously.
CagriSema Combination
The REDEFINE Phase 3 trial program tests cagrilintide 2.4mg + semaglutide 2.4mg weekly. Interim data from Phase 2 showed body weight reductions approaching 25% — potentially the highest pharmacological weight loss efficacy of any compound at time of writing. Phase 3 results are awaited.
Amylin Biology
Amylin is co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells and acts as a complementary satiety hormone. Pramlintide (Symlin), a shorter-acting amylin analog, is FDA-approved for insulin-using diabetics. Cagrilintide extends this biology to a weekly formulation suitable for combination obesity therapy.
Competitive Landscape
Cagrilintide’s development positions Novo Nordisk to compete in the “next generation” obesity pharmacotherapy space against Eli Lilly’s triple agonist pipeline (retatrutide). The outcome of these Phase 3 programs will significantly shape the obesity treatment market.
Regulatory Status
Research OnlyPhase 3 trials active (CagriSema combination); no approval as of 2025
Safety Profile
Side Effects
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Injection site reactions
- •Potential cardiac effects (amylin class)
Contraindications
- •History of medullary thyroid cancer
- •Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
- •Insulin
- •GLP-1 agonists (by design in combination)
Primary Uses
Related Peptides
Weekly Briefing
Regulatory updates + new study breakdowns.
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