The drugs in clinical trials right now could make Wegovy and Zepbound look modest. What is coming, where each one stands, and which ones are worth paying attention to.
Before the FDA approves a drug, it goes through three phases of clinical trials. Phase 3 is the last stop before approval. Here's exactly where each one sits today.
From the one closest to approval all the way back to early safety testing.
Phase 2 showed 24% weight loss, more than any approved drug. Targets three hormones where current drugs hit one or two.
Phase 2 showed 24% body weight loss, the highest ever recorded in a weight loss trial. It targets three hunger hormones at once (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon), where current drugs hit just one or two. If Phase 3 matches Phase 2, it could redefine the standard of care.
Pairs semaglutide with cagrilintide for a dual attack on hunger. Phase 3 showed 22.7% weight loss, NDA submitted Dec 2025.
Pairs semaglutide with cagrilintide for a dual mechanism attack on hunger. Phase 3 showed 22.7% weight loss, NDA submitted Dec 2025.
Once-daily pill, no injection needed. Phase 2 showed solid weight loss and could be Rybelsus's first real competition.
Once-daily pill, no injection needed. Phase 2 showed solid weight loss and could be Rybelsus's first real competition.
Lost fat while preserving more muscle than semaglutide. Muscle loss is a known GLP-1 problem. Targets both hunger and metabolism.
Lost fat while preserving more muscle than semaglutide. Muscle loss is a known GLP-1 problem. Dual mechanism targets both hunger and metabolism.
NDA filed Feb 2026. Unique dual action: suppresses appetite AND burns liver fat. Phase 2 showed 19% weight loss.
NDA filed February 2026. Unique GLP-1 + glucagon mechanism suppresses appetite while also boosting liver fat metabolism. Phase 2 showed up to 19% weight loss. FDA decision expected 2026-2027.
The only once-monthly injection in the pipeline. Phase 2 showed up to 16% weight loss with no plateau at 52 weeks.
The only weight loss drug in development given just once a month. Phase 2 showed up to 16% weight loss with no plateau at 52 weeks. Phase 3 MARITIME underway with 6 global studies.
Roche's entry posted the highest Phase 2 data ever, 22.5% placebo-adjusted weight loss. Phase 3 just started Q1 2026.
The highest Phase 2 weight loss data ever recorded, 22.5% placebo-adjusted at 48 weeks. 54% of participants eliminated obesity (BMI below 30). Phase 3 ENITH1 + ENITH2 just started Q1 2026.
Single molecule activating two hunger pathways. 22% weight loss in early trials. Weekly shot or daily pill. Phase 3 started Q1 2026.
A single molecule that activates both GLP-1 and amylin hunger pathways simultaneously. Early trials showed 22% weight loss at 36 weeks. Unique: available as both a weekly injection and daily oral pill. Phase 3 started Q1 2026.
Completely different from GLP-1 drugs, works through amylin receptors. Phase 2 showed up to 20.1% weight loss. Phase 3 enrolling.
The first pure amylin receptor agonist, a completely different mechanism from all GLP-1 drugs. Phase 2 in Lancet showed up to 20.1% weight loss at 48 weeks. Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN started enrolling December 2025.
⚕ Timelines are estimates based on current trial data and may change. We update this page regularly as new information becomes available.