๐Ÿš€ Phase 3 ๐ŸŒŠ Unique Mechanism Amgen ยท Monthly injection

MariTide

AMG 133 ยท maridebart cafraglutide ยท GIP Antagonist / GLP-1 Agonist ยท Est. FDA: 2028+

MariTide takes a completely different approach, it blocks GIP while activating GLP-1. That's the opposite of what Zepbound does. Phase 2 showed up to 16.2% weight loss with no plateau at 52 weeks. One shot per month.

A monthly injection that blocks GIP rather than activating it. Phase 2 showed up to 16.2% weight loss with no plateau after 52 weeks. The only monthly GIP antagonist in development.

๐Ÿ’‰
Phase 2 Loss
16.2%
Est. FDA
2028+
At a Glance

MariTide by the Numbers

Phase 2 Weight Loss
16.2%
Non-diabetic adults at 52 weeks
Form & Schedule
Monthly Injection
Once per month, most convenient
Mechanism
GIP Antagonist
Blocks GIP + activates GLP-1
No Weight Loss Plateau
Confirmed
Still losing weight at 52 weeks
Manufacturer
Amgen
Phase 3: MARITIME program
FDA Status
Phase 3
Est. FDA decision 2028+
Plain English

What Exactly Is MariTide?

A monthly injection that works completely differently from Zepbound and Wegovy. MariTide is the only weight loss drug in development that blocks the GIP receptor rather than activating it, and it's also the only monthly injection heading toward FDA approval.

Every GLP-1 drug approved today works by activating hormone receptors to reduce appetite. MariTide takes a different path: it's a bispecific antibody-peptide conjugate that simultaneously blocks the GIP receptor (antagonist) while activating the GLP-1 receptor (agonist).

This is the opposite approach to Zepbound (tirzepatide), which activates both GIP and GLP-1. Yet both produce strong weight loss results, suggesting GIP may play a complex and still not fully understood role in obesity. Because MariTide is a large antibody molecule rather than a small peptide, it stays active in the body far longer, which is why it only needs to be injected once per month.

The Unique Mechanism

Block One, Activate One

MariTide blocks GIP and activates GLP-1, the opposite of what Zepbound does. This dual-action approach produces powerful appetite suppression through a mechanism no other approved drug uses.

๐Ÿšซ
GIP Receptor, Blocked
MariTide is a GIP antagonist, it blocks the GIP receptor rather than activating it. This is the key differentiator from tirzepatide (Zepbound), which activates GIP. Blocking GIP may alter fat storage and energy balance in ways researchers are still characterizing in Phase 3.
โœ…
GLP-1 Receptor, Activated
Like Wegovy and Zepbound, MariTide activates GLP-1 receptors to reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying. This signals fullness to the brain and dramatically cuts food intake. The GLP-1 component drives the majority of observed weight loss.
1

One Shot Per Month

As a large antibody-peptide conjugate, MariTide stays active in the body for weeks, enabling a once-monthly dosing schedule. For many patients this is a major practical advantage over weekly injections like Wegovy or Zepbound.

2

Appetite Suppression Kicks In

GLP-1 receptor activation reduces hunger and food cravings. Phase 2 participants reported significantly less interest in food, smaller comfortable portion sizes, and reduced "food noise" within the first few weeks of treatment.

3

Weight Loss Continues, No Plateau

A standout finding: unlike most drugs that plateau after 6-12 months, MariTide patients were still actively losing weight at 52 weeks with no sign of leveling off. Phase 3 will test whether this continues even longer.

Phase 2 Clinical Trial Data

What the Trials Showed

Phase 2: 16.2% non-diabetic, 12.3% Type 2 diabetic, no plateau at 52 weeks. Amgen's Phase 2 trial tested MariTide in two populations: adults with obesity (no diabetes) and adults with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Both showed meaningful weight loss with no plateau at the 52-week endpoint.

16.2%
Weight Loss, Non-Diabetic
At 52 weeks, still declining
12.3%
Weight Loss, Type 2 Diabetes
52 weeks, meaningful reduction
No plateau
Weight Loss Curve at 52 Weeks
Still declining at end of trial
๐Ÿ“Š Why "No Plateau" Matters

Most weight loss drugs produce a curve that flattens out, patients lose weight for 6-12 months then level off even while continuing the drug. MariTide's Phase 2 data showed participants were still losing weight at the 52-week endpoint with no sign of leveling off. This means total long-term weight loss could be substantially higher than the 16.2% measured. Phase 3's longer follow-up will quantify this.

โ„น๏ธ Phase 2 trials test effectiveness and optimize dosing. All participants also received dietary and lifestyle guidance. Phase 3 MARITIME (12,000+ participants, 6 global trials) began enrolling in mid-2025.
Development Timeline

Where Things Stand

Phase 3 MARITIME is underway. FDA decision expected 2028+. MariTide has cleared Phase 1 and 2 and is now in the largest phase of testing. The full roadmap below.

2020-2023
โœ“ Done
Phase 1, Safety confirmed
First-in-human trials confirmed MariTide was safe and well-tolerated. Amgen validated the once-monthly antibody-peptide format and the GIP-blocking approach.
2023-2024
โœ“ Done
Phase 2, Efficacy confirmed
Results: 16.2% weight loss in non-diabetic adults with no plateau at 52 weeks. The data validated Amgen's GIP-blocking hypothesis and supported advancement to Phase 3.
Mid-2025, Now
โ— Happening Now
Phase 3 MARITIME, 12,000+ participants
Six global trials enrolling across different populations. This is Amgen's most ambitious clinical program. Phase 3 data expected around 2027.
Est. 2027-2028
Up Next
NDA Filing
If Phase 3 results are positive, Amgen submits a New Drug Application to the FDA requesting approval to market MariTide in the US.
Est. 2028+
Up Next
FDA Decision
The FDA reviews Amgen's application. A 2028 or later timeline is the current estimate for a potential MariTide approval decision.
๐Ÿ’ก Want to try it before approval?

MARITIME Phase 3 trials are actively enrolling. You receive MariTide at no cost with close medical supervision throughout the study.

Search Open Trials โ†’
Phase 3 MARITIME by the numbers
Participants enrolled 12,000+
Number of trials 6 global
Phase 3 started Mid-2025
Est. data readout 2027

"A meaningful chunk of my patients have tried GLP-1s and lost some weight but not enough. Maritide is specifically being developed for that population. I don't see many drugs targeting that gap and it's a gap that genuinely exists."

Dr. Humberto Fernandez-Miro, MD

Dr. Humberto Fernandez-Miro, MD

Family Medicine ยท Clinical Research

Who Should Watch This

Is MariTide Right for You?

Not available yet. Here's who it looks best suited for when it is. MariTide isn't approved yet. Based on Phase 2 data and the ongoing Phase 3 program, here's who this drug looks most promising for, and who should think carefully before waiting for it.

โœ… Likely Good Candidates

  • Adults with BMI 30+ who value a once-monthly dosing schedule over weekly
  • People who plateau on weekly GLP-1 drugs, MariTide's different mechanism may restart progress
  • Patients with obesity and Type 2 diabetes seeking an alternative mechanism
  • Anyone interested in the longest-term potential, weight loss hadn't plateaued by trial end, which suggests higher totals are possible with longer treatment
  • People willing to wait until 2028+ for a potentially distinct and convenient option

โš ๏ธ Things to Consider

  • Not FDA-approved, still 2+ years away at minimum
  • Phase 2 weight loss (16.2%) is lower than retatrutide (24.2%) or CT-388 (22.5%) at comparable stages
  • Diabetic patients saw lower weight loss (12.3%), typical for GLP-1 class drugs in T2D populations
  • As an antibody-based drug, manufacturing and cost structure may differ from small-molecule GLP-1s
  • People who need treatment now should not wait, currently approved drugs (Wegovy, Zepbound) are proven options
Head to Head

How MariTide Stacks Up

MariTide vs. current and upcoming weight loss drugs. MariTide occupies a unique space, monthly dosing, GIP-blocking mechanism, and a still-climbing weight loss curve with no observed plateau.

Drug Mechanism Best Weight Loss Dosing Status
๐Ÿ’‰MariTide GIP Antagonist + GLP-1 Agonist 16.2%* (no plateau) Monthly Phase 3
๐Ÿ’‰Wegovy GLP-1 Agonist 15% Weekly FDA Approved
๐Ÿ’‰Zepbound GLP-1 + GIP Agonist 20-21% Weekly FDA Approved
๐Ÿ’‰Retatrutide GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon 24.2% Weekly Phase 3
๐Ÿ’‰CT-388 GLP-1 + GIP Agonist 22.5% (placebo-adj.) Weekly Phase 3

*MariTide's weight loss curve was still declining at 52 weeks, final long-term totals expected to be higher. All figures from Phase 2/3 trial publications.

Common Questions

MariTide FAQ

This is one of the most fascinating open questions in obesity pharmacology. Zepbound activates the GIP receptor and shows 20% weight loss. MariTide blocks the same receptor and shows 16% weight loss with no plateau. Both outperform pure GLP-1 drugs. Researchers believe GIP signaling in different tissues (brain vs. fat vs. gut) may have opposing effects on weight, which is why both activation and blockade can produce weight loss. Phase 3 data will help clarify this further.
MariTide is a bispecific antibody-peptide conjugate, a large biological molecule, not a small chemical like semaglutide or tirzepatide. Antibodies have long half-lives in the body (often weeks), so the drug stays active much longer per dose. This allows a genuine monthly schedule, making it the only once-monthly weight loss injection in development.
Most weight loss drugs produce a curve that flattens, patients lose weight for 6-12 months then level off. MariTide's Phase 2 data showed patients were still actively losing weight at the 52-week trial endpoint with no sign of leveling off. This suggests total long-term weight loss could be meaningfully higher than the 16.2% measured, Phase 3's longer follow-up will quantify this, and it could significantly change MariTide's competitive positioning.
MariTide's Phase 2 weight loss (16.2%) is comparable to Wegovy (15%) and somewhat below Zepbound (20%). However, the continued weight loss through the trial end and monthly dosing are genuine differentiators. For patients who plateau on current drugs, MariTide's different mechanism may restart weight loss. But it won't be available for at least 2 more years, for people who need treatment now, currently approved drugs are the right choice.
Phase 2 data showed a side effect profile broadly similar to other GLP-1 class drugs: primarily gastrointestinal effects including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, mostly mild to moderate and concentrated during the dose-escalation period. The monthly dosing means peak drug levels occur less frequently than weekly drugs, which may affect how nausea is experienced. Full safety characterization is ongoing across 12,000+ participants in Phase 3.
Yes, Phase 3 MARITIME launched in mid-2025 and trials are actively enrolling. There are 6 global trials covering different populations (with and without diabetes, varying cardiovascular risk profiles, etc.). Participants receive MariTide at no cost with close medical supervision. Search for "maridebart cafraglutide" or "AMG 133" on ClinicalTrials.gov to find open trials near you.
Dr. Fernandez-Miro
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Fernandez-Miro
Obesity Medicine