Semaglutide may lower risks of adult-onset seizures and alcohol-related hospitalizations, new studies find. Brazil approved five semaglutide injectables, and a commentary updates obesity care with GLP-1 drugs.
A study of over 85,000 women found that insurance coverage and healthcare access significantly affect folic acid use, increasing preventable birth defect risks. The findings support fortification efforts, while a University of Houston initiative aims to address pharmacy access barriers.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are linked to a higher risk of smell and taste disturbances, while poison control calls involving semaglutide have soared since 2021. The drugs produce significant weight loss and are reshaping U.S. food demand, with roughly one in eight adults now taking them.
Eli Lilly builds $1.5B stockpile for oral obesity drug orforglipron; study shows GLP-1s cut cancer risk; logistics firms invest in cold chain; and amylin drug race heats up with $19B in deals.
New studies link GLP-1 drugs to eating disorders, erectile dysfunction and relationship changes, while Deloitte reports the drugs' market boom has lifted pharma R&D returns but created a concentration risk.
Can-Fite will present late-stage pipeline at BIO 2026; GlobalData counts over 2,000 peptides in development with $91.38bn 2025 sales; Arrowhead's RNAi pipeline has two Phase 3 programs.
Nereus (tradipitant) is now commercially available for prevention of motion-induced vomiting. Vanda has launched a phase 3 trial in GLP-1 users, building on phase 2 results showing a 50% relative reduction in vomiting.
A Johns Hopkins study found GLP-1 users face increased dementia risk after a decade, possibly due to longer lifespan. A separate JCI review found GLP-1 drugs show neuroprotective signals in preclinical studies but consistent cognitive benefits in humans remain unproven.
Two retrospective studies in type 2 diabetes patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms linked GLP-1RAs to lower non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage risk. One study also showed lower all-cause mortality over five years.
GLP-1 drugs are expanding in 2026 with oral semaglutide for weight management, rising patient use and broader commercialization. A study also found a modest increase in erectile dysfunction risk among men with Type 2 diabetes starting GLP-1 medicines, though the association weakened after stricter adjustment.