Next-generation weight-loss drugs are expected within a year.

The next generation of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs is on the horizon, with new weight-loss and diabetes treatments expected to hit shelves by early next year. These advancements follow the success of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, signaling a rapid evolution in obesity and diabetes care.

Less than five years after the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide-based Wegovy for weight loss, the company is preparing to seek regulatory approval for CagriSema in early 2026. This once-weekly injection combines semaglutide with cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, offering the potential for improved glycemic control and greater weight-loss results. While it didn’t fully meet the ambitious targets set in early trials, its Phase III study still showed promising results—participants lost an average of 15.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks, compared to 3.1% in the placebo group.

CagriSema is being developed for both diabetes and obesity treatment, but Novo Nordisk isn’t stopping there. The company recently struck a $2 billion deal with Chinese pharmaceutical firm United Biotechnology to license its novel weight-loss and diabetes drug, UBT251, for global markets. United Biotechnology will retain rights to market the drug in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan while receiving additional royalties from international sales.

UBT251: A Next-Gen “Triple-G” Drug Showing Promise in Obesity and Diabetes Treatment

UBT251, a triple agonist—or “triple-G” drug—targets glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. Considered a next-generation obesity and diabetes treatment, it demonstrated significant potential in a small Phase II trial in China, where participants lost an average of 15.1% of their body weight in just 12 weeks. Novo Nordisk now aims to accelerate its global development through a Phase I/II trial.

The urgency stems from intensifying competition with Eli Lilly, which recently completed Phase III trials for its own “triple-G” drug, retatrutide, for both obesity and diabetes. If retatrutide delivers the superior weight-loss results seen in early studies, Eli Lilly could gain a major advantage over Novo Nordisk in the battle for market dominance.

Meanwhile, China has approved UBT251 for trials targeting type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease.

Novo Nordisk Expands Pipeline with UBT251 for Cardiometabolic Diseases

“The addition of a candidate targeting glucagon, as well as GLP-1 and GIP, strengthens our clinical pipeline as we work to develop a broad range of differentiated treatments for highly prevalent diseases,” said Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk’s executive vice president for development. “We look forward to expanding on United Biotechnology’s research and exploring UBT251’s potential across cardiometabolic conditions.”

Under the deal, United Biotechnology will receive an upfront payment of $200 million, with potential milestone payments of up to $1.8 billion, plus tiered royalties.

In the U.S., Novo Nordisk is also taking steps to address the rising use of compounded semaglutide. The company launched NovoCare, an online pharmacy offering uninsured Americans access to Wegovy for $499 per month, shipped directly to their homes—though certain conditions apply.

Read Original Article: New Atlas

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