Also known as: GLP-1 medication, oral GLP-1 receptor agonists
Arecor said it is in talks on a broader AT278 partnership as it targets a phase II trial start in the second half of 2026. The company also cited FDA feedback, Ligand financing and year-end cash of £6.1 million.
Biopharma companies are increasingly outsourcing FDA-approved drug manufacturing to Europe despite 15% U.S. tariffs, with Europe recording triple the U.S. deal volume in 2025. Simultaneously, nearly half of pharma companies offshored R&D activities last year, citing talent access and lower costs. Major investments by companies like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca highlight the ongoing shift of pharmaceutical operations overseas.
Soon-to-be brides and grooms in India are increasingly seeking Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections before weddings, with doctors reporting rising demand. The trend comes as India’s obesity-drug market expands, cheaper semaglutide versions enter the market, and regulators raise misuse concerns.
Oral semaglutide demonstrated significant improvements in multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. The SOUL trial analysis showed reductions in systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, and body weight compared to placebo. These benefits were observed as early as 13 weeks and contributed to a 14% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events.
The FDA is set to make decisions on four drug applications in April 2026, including Orca-T for hematological malignancies, orforglipron for obesity, sparsentan for kidney disease, and a doravirine/islatravir combination for HIV-1.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide help regulate appetite and improve satiety for medical weight loss. Clinical studies show patients can lose an average of 15% of body weight with these treatments. These medications are suitable for individuals with BMI of 27+ with weight-related conditions or BMI of 30+ regardless of other conditions.
Recent studies examine safety profiles of GLP-1 receptor agonists, finding increased risk for nonscarring hair loss but improved survival in patients with brain metastases and type 2 diabetes.
Veru Inc. has enrolled the first patient in its Phase 2b PLATEAU clinical trial evaluating enobosarm combined with semaglutide for weight loss in older patients with obesity. The study will assess enobosarm's ability to preserve lean mass and physical function while augmenting fat loss.
Orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, demonstrated greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight compared to oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes, with more patients achieving strict glycemic targets at one year.
Semaglutide reduced osteoarthritis progression in obese mice through metabolic reprogramming of cartilage cells, independent of weight loss effects, according to research published in Cell Metabolism.
