Here are the dozens of weight loss drugs in development to catch a booming market

Updated on Sept. 5, 2024; a new feature allows the entire dataset to be downloaded. Read about the bet that amylin can rival GLP-1 as the next big obesity target. Previous stories describe a strategy involving gene silencing; efforts to preserve muscle. Also available in a single report: our award-winning Obesity Revolution. 

The blazing success of weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro has electrified the pursuit of new treatments for obesity. For now, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are leading the market with injectable drugs that target receptors of the GLP-1 hormone to mimic the hormone’s effects of helping people feel full. But dozens of companies are also jumping into the race, seeing the potential to make millions of dollars if they can bring to market medications that are oral, longer-lasting, avoid side effects, or provide additional benefits besides weight loss.

Many of these drugs are also targeting receptors of GLP-1, as well as other hormones involved in satiety and metabolism, but some are using entirely novel mechanisms.

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