GLP-1
GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic part of the body’s meal-related signaling, supporting glucose-dependent insulin release. Some medicines also have approved weight-management or other indications. Each product has its own evidence and risks.
GLP-1 & Beyond — A worldwide timeline
Discovery · medicines · the next frontier
From the discoveries that came before the first medicines to amylin therapies and five-target research. Understand how we got here, what is established today, and what scientists are testing next.
Source check: · A dated reference, not a real-time approval feed.
Discovery
Hormones, receptors and the people behind them
Medicines
Product- and country-specific authorizations
Clinical development
Human studies and unanswered questions
The research frontier
Five-target constructs studied in animals
What connects these treatments?
More than one target
Tirzepatide targets GIP and GLP-1; retatrutide adds glucagon. A larger receptor count is a description of pharmacology—not a ranking of effectiveness or safety.
Amylin and combinations
Amylin is a separate hormone pathway. Cagrilintide is not a GLP-1 agonist. CagriSema combines it with semaglutide; zenagamtide aims to engage both pathways in one molecule.
- EMA · Mounjaro (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- Lilly · retatrutide development update, September 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · CagriSema phase 3 update, September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · topline results
- Novo Nordisk · zenagamtide phase 2 data, June 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
The family includes peptide drugs, protein fusions and, now, non-peptide small molecules such as orforglipron. A receptor pathway is not the same thing as a chemical structure.
Then → now
The chronological timeline
Selected milestones across regions. Dates refer to the event named—not universal launch dates, and not proof of current supply in every country.
Show / hide the full timeline
1980s
Discovery
International
The biology before the brands
Research into proglucagon and active GLP-1 established the foundation for glucose-dependent insulin signaling. Contributions came from multiple teams, including those associated with Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov, Daniel Drucker and Jens Juul Holst. This was a sequence of discoveries, not a single drug launch.
1987
Discovery
International
Amylin / IAPP enters the story
Westermark and colleagues, and Cooper and colleagues, published work identifying and characterizing pancreatic islet amyloid polypeptide. Amylin subsequently became a separate therapeutic pathway.
1992
Discovery
United States
Exendin-4 is characterized
John Eng and colleagues reported exendin-4, isolated from Gila monster venom. This discovery helped lead to synthetic exenatide; the medicine is not injected animal venom.
- Eng and colleagues · exendin-4, 1992 (opens in a new tab)Original research
- U.S. VA · John Eng and the Bronx VA discovery (opens in a new tab)Research institution
2005
Approval
United States
The first U.S. GLP-1 medicine—and an amylin medicine
Byetta (exenatide) received FDA approval. Symlin (pramlintide) also entered the U.S. treatment landscape in 2005 through the separate amylin pathway.
2006
Approval
European Union
Byetta reaches the EU
EU marketing authorization followed on November 20. Regional approvals did not occur on the same date.
- EMA · Byetta (opens in a new tab)Regulator
2009
Approval
European Union
Liraglutide expands the class
Victoza received EU authorization on June 30 for diabetes treatment.
- EMA · Victoza (opens in a new tab)Regulator
2011
Approval
European Union
An extended-release exenatide milestone
Bydureon received EU authorization on June 17, extending the formulation history beyond immediate-release Byetta.
- EMA · Bydureon (opens in a new tab)Regulator
2013
Approval
European Union
Lixisenatide joins the timeline
Lyxumia received EU authorization on February 1.
- EMA · Lyxumia (opens in a new tab)Regulator
2014
Approval
United States · European Union
Trulicity, albiglutide and fixed combinations
Trulicity was approved in the U.S. on September 18 and in the EU on November 21. EU authorizations also included Eperzan on March 21 and Xultophy, combining insulin degludec with liraglutide, on September 18.
2015
Approval
European Union
The weight-management indication expands
Saxenda received EU authorization on March 23. Liraglutide’s diabetes and obesity products have different labels.
- EMA · Saxenda (opens in a new tab)Regulator
2016
Clinical / approval
International · China
Clinical outcomes and Chinese development
LEADER reported cardiovascular findings for liraglutide. Benemae reports Chinese approval of beinaglutide in December, showing another regional route into GLP-1 therapy.
- LEADER · liraglutide cardiovascular outcomes, 2016 (opens in a new tab)Original human research
- Benemae · beinaglutide development and 2016 approval (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · Chinese
2017–2018
Approval / withdrawal
United States · European Union
Semaglutide arrives; one older product exits
Ozempic’s U.S. approval came in 2017 and EU authorization on February 8, 2018. Eperzan’s EU authorization was withdrawn on October 29, 2018 for commercial reasons. Suliqua had received EU authorization in January 2017.
2019–2020
Clinical / approval
United States · European Union · China
Oral delivery, PEGylation and outcome evidence
Rybelsus was approved in the U.S. in 2019 and EU in April 2020. Hansoh reports Chinese approval of PEG-loxenatide in May 2019. REWIND’s 2019 publication added cardiovascular evidence for dulaglutide.
2021–2022
Approval
United States · European Union
Obesity treatment and dual agonism
Injectable Wegovy’s U.S. approval came in 2021; EU authorization followed in January 2022. Mounjaro received EU authorization in September 2022, bringing dual GIP/GLP-1 agonism into this history.
2023
Clinical / approval
Japan · United States · International
More regional milestones and cardiovascular evidence
Japan’s review record lists Wegovy approval in March. Zepbound received U.S. approval in November. SELECT reported cardiovascular outcomes with semaglutide in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight/obesity without diabetes.
2024
Scientific recognition
International
Recognition of the scientific foundations
The Lasker–DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award recognized Joel Habener, Svetlana Mojsov and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen. This is a Lasker award, not a Nobel Prize or an endorsement of every product.
2025
Approval / guidance
China · Worldwide
China approvals and global public-health guidance
NMPA announced efsubaglutide alfa approval. Innovent reported mazdutide approvals for weight management and diabetes in China. WHO added selected GLP-1-based therapies to its essential medicines list for defined diabetes populations and issued an obesity guideline.
- NMPA · efsubaglutide alfa approval announcement, June 2025 (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- Innovent · mazdutide China weight-management approval, June 2025 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer release
- Innovent · mazdutide China diabetes approval, September 2025 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer release
- WHO · essential medicines update, September 2025 (opens in a new tab)Global health guidance
- WHO · GLP-1 obesity guideline, December 2025 (opens in a new tab)Global health guidance
April 2026
Approval / preclinical
United States · International
An oral non-peptide drug and five-target research
FDA approved Foundayo (orforglipron) on April 1. Separately, an April 29 Nature paper described a GLP-1/GIP/PPARα/γ/δ construct in mice. These milestones are different evidence levels, not comparable treatment approvals.
June–October 2026
Clinical / preclinical
International
An expanding amylin and multi-agonist pipeline
Updates include retatrutide phase 3 results, CagriSema phase 3 findings, zenagamtide development, petrelintide’s phase transition, eloralintide and EloraTZP programs, and survodutide results. A separate ADA abstract describes five hormone-receptor agonism in rats.
- Lilly · retatrutide development update, September 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · CagriSema phase 3 update, September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · topline results
- Novo Nordisk · zenagamtide phase 2 data, June 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Zealand Pharma · petrelintide development (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Lilly · eloralintide and EloraTZP development (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Boehringer Ingelheim · SYNCHRONIZE-2, October 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- ADA · five-receptor agonist in obese rats, abstract 2839-LB, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Conference abstract · preclinical
Names · origins · milestones · current evidence
Medicines & the development pipeline
Explore 24 profiles, including established products, regional therapies, combinations and experimental constructs. Brands are examples, not a complete worldwide trade-name register. Country-specific approval does not mean worldwide approval.
Showing 24 of 24 profiles. Open a history for sources and current context.
GLP-1
Exenatide
Byetta · Bydureon · Bydureon BCise
Approved in named jurisdictions
GLP-1 receptor agonist; exendin-4-based peptide.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- John Eng and colleagues at the Bronx VA, United States; subsequent drug development by Amylin and Lilly.
- How it got here
- Exendin-4 was reported in 1992. Synthetic exenatide became Byetta in the United States in 2005; EU authorization followed on November 20, 2006. Extended-release Bydureon received EU authorization on June 17, 2011.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- An early diabetes treatment that predates Trulicity. Immediate- and extended-release formulations have different instructions and labeling. Authorization history does not guarantee current local supply.
- Eng and colleagues · exendin-4, 1992 (opens in a new tab)Original research
- U.S. VA · John Eng and the Bronx VA discovery (opens in a new tab)Research institution
- Amylin/Lilly · Byetta approval, 2005 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- EMA · Byetta (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Bydureon (opens in a new tab)Regulator
GLP-1
Liraglutide
Victoza · Saxenda
Approved in named jurisdictions
Long-acting GLP-1 analogue.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk, Denmark; Lotte Bjerre Knudsen and colleagues contributed to long-acting GLP-1 drug development.
- How it got here
- Victoza received EU authorization on June 30, 2009 for diabetes. Saxenda followed on March 23, 2015 for weight management. The 2016 LEADER trial studied cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Same active molecule, different products, doses and approved uses. LEADER added outcome evidence beyond glucose measurements; it does not establish every benefit in every population.
- Lasker Foundation · GLP-1 discovery and the 2024 award (opens in a new tab)Research history
- EMA · Victoza (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Saxenda (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- LEADER · liraglutide cardiovascular outcomes, 2016 (opens in a new tab)Original human research
GLP-1
Lixisenatide
Lyxumia · Adlyxin
Approved in named jurisdictions
GLP-1 receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Sanofi is identified in the Lyxumia regulatory record.
- How it got here
- Lyxumia received EU authorization on February 1, 2013 for type 2 diabetes. The molecule also appears in a fixed combination with insulin glargine.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Include this shorter-acting branch of the history, even where standalone brand availability differs. Insulin combinations are separate products, not interchangeable substitutes.
- EMA · Lyxumia (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Suliqua (opens in a new tab)Regulator
GLP-1
Albiglutide
Eperzan · Tanzeum
Historical / EU authorization withdrawn
Albumin-linked GLP-1 analogue.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- GlaxoSmithKline; documented in the EMA authorization history.
- How it got here
- Eperzan received EU authorization on March 21, 2014. The European Commission withdrew it on October 29, 2018 at the holder’s request for commercial reasons.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- A historical medicine, not a current EU treatment option. The documented commercial withdrawal should not be mislabeled as a safety ban.
- EMA · Eperzan (opens in a new tab)Regulator
GLP-1
Dulaglutide
Trulicity
Approved in named jurisdictions
Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist; once-weekly formulation.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Eli Lilly, United States; developed through an international clinical program.
- How it got here
- Trulicity first received FDA approval on September 18, 2014 and EU authorization on November 21, 2014. REWIND reported cardiovascular outcomes in 2019.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- An important established medicine, but not the first GLP-1 therapy. REWIND studied people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or risk factors; its findings belong to that study population.
- FDA · Trulicity original approval (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Trulicity (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- REWIND · dulaglutide cardiovascular outcomes, 2019 (opens in a new tab)Original human research
GLP-1
Beinaglutide
Yishengtai / 谊生泰 · other local presentations
China approval documented
Recombinant human GLP-1-based therapy.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Benemae, China; manufacturer history and product listings.
- How it got here
- The manufacturer reports Chinese marketing approval in December 2016. Its current product listing includes distinct presentations for diabetes and adult weight management.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- This China-specific history is supported here by manufacturer sources, not an independently retrieved NMPA approval letter. Local labels and indication-specific products must be checked; no worldwide approval is implied.
- Benemae · beinaglutide development and 2016 approval (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · Chinese
- Benemae · marketed beinaglutide products (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · Chinese
GLP-1
Semaglutide
Ozempic · Rybelsus · Wegovy
Approved in named jurisdictions
GLP-1 receptor agonist; injectable and oral formulations.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk, Denmark.
- How it got here
- U.S. milestones include Ozempic in 2017, Rybelsus in 2019 and injectable Wegovy in 2021. EU milestones include Ozempic on February 8, 2018, Rybelsus on April 3, 2020 and Wegovy on January 6, 2022. SELECT reported cardiovascular outcomes in 2023.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Current regulatory information includes oral as well as injectable semaglutide products. Brands, formulations, strengths and indications must be read separately. SELECT studied overweight/obesity with established cardiovascular disease and without diabetes; do not extend that result to everyone.
- FDA · semaglutide approval history (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Ozempic (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Rybelsus (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Wegovy (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- FDA · Wegovy injection/tablet labeling, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- SELECT · semaglutide cardiovascular outcomes, 2023 (opens in a new tab)Original human research
GLP-1
PEG-loxenatide
Polyethylene glycol loxenatide · PEX168 · Fulaimei
China approval documented
PEGylated, long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Hansoh Pharma, China.
- How it got here
- Hansoh reports marketing approval in May 2019 for type 2 diabetes. PEGylation is one approach used to prolong the molecule’s action.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- A regional development path often omitted from U.S.-centered timelines. Approval history here is manufacturer-reported; it does not establish authorization elsewhere.
Multi-agonist
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro · Zepbound
Approved in named jurisdictions
Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Eli Lilly, United States.
- How it got here
- Mounjaro received EU authorization on September 15, 2022. Zepbound received U.S. approval for chronic weight management on November 8, 2023.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- A dual agonist, not simply a newer single-receptor GLP-1. Mounjaro and Zepbound are jurisdiction-specific brands; approved indications and patient eligibility differ.
- EMA · Mounjaro (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- FDA · Zepbound approval, November 2023 (opens in a new tab)Regulator
GLP-1
Efsubaglutide alfa
怡诺轻
China approval documented
GLP-1 / human IgG2 Fc fusion protein.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Shanghai Yinnuo Pharmaceutical Technology, China, as named by NMPA.
- How it got here
- NMPA announced approval on June 11, 2025 for blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. This is the announcement date, not a claim about the first clinical dose.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- A long-acting GLP-1 medicine in China’s regulatory record. NMPA describes glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppression of glucagon release.
Multi-agonist
Mazdutide
IBI362
China approval documented
Dual glucagon / GLP-1 receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Innovent Biologics, China; approval announcements issued by Innovent.
- How it got here
- Innovent announced Chinese approval for chronic weight management in June 2025 and for adult type 2 diabetes on September 19, 2025.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- A different dual-receptor pairing from tirzepatide. These are manufacturer-reported Chinese approvals; they are not evidence of FDA or EU authorization.
- Innovent · mazdutide China weight-management approval, June 2025 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer release
- Innovent · mazdutide China diabetes approval, September 2025 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer release
GLP-1
Orforglipron
Foundayo · LY3502970
U.S. approval documented
Oral, non-peptide small-molecule GLP-1 receptor partial agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Discovered by Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan; licensed to Lilly in 2018.
- How it got here
- FDA approved Foundayo on April 1, 2026 for long-term weight reduction in eligible adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, alongside diet and exercise.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Included because this is a receptor-based history: not every GLP-1 drug is a peptide. U.S. approval does not imply authorization in every country or for every diabetes indication.
- FDA · Foundayo approval, April 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- Lilly · orforglipron origin and non-peptide structure (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
Combination
Insulin + GLP-1 combinations
Xultophy · Suliqua
Approved in named jurisdictions
Insulin degludec + liraglutide; insulin glargine + lixisenatide.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, respectively, in EU product records.
- How it got here
- EU authorizations: Xultophy on September 18, 2014; Suliqua on January 11, 2017. Both are combination products used in type 2 diabetes.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Combining two medicines is different from designing one molecule that activates two receptors. The insulin component adds its own dosing requirements and hypoglycemia considerations.
- EMA · Xultophy (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- EMA · Suliqua (opens in a new tab)Regulator
Multi-agonist
Retatrutide
LY3437943 · sometimes informally called “Reta”
Investigational · phase 3
Triple GIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Eli Lilly, United States.
- How it got here
- Phase 2 obesity findings were reported in 2023. By September 2026, Lilly reported data from several phase 3 trials in its TRIUMPH and TRANSCEND-T2D programs.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Human phase 3 evidence exists; describing this as having no human trials is incorrect. It remains investigational in the current source. “GLP-3” is not the scientific name for this receptor combination. Approval and launch dates are not guaranteed.
Multi-agonist
Survodutide
BI 456906
Investigational · phase 3
Dual glucagon / GLP-1 receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany, with Zealand Pharma, Denmark.
- How it got here
- The SYNCHRONIZE program studies obesity. Boehringer reported SYNCHRONIZE-2 phase 3 results in people with obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes on October 1, 2026.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Part of a wider international pipeline that includes liver-disease research. A sponsor’s positive topline announcement is not regulatory approval or a substitute for the full trial report.
Amylin
Pramlintide
Symlin
U.S. approval documented
Synthetic analogue of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Amylin Pharmaceuticals; U.S. FDA development record.
- How it got here
- Symlin’s initial U.S. approval was in 2005, alongside the early GLP-1 era. Its diabetes indication concerns selected people using mealtime insulin.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- This is the established amylin precedent, not a GLP-1 agonist or an obesity approval. The label carries a severe-hypoglycemia warning when used with insulin. The linked historical label supports the milestone; current prescribing information is required for clinical use.
Amylin
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue
Investigational · phase 3 program
Amylin receptor agonism; distinct from GLP-1.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk, Denmark.
- How it got here
- Novo’s annual report identifies the RENEW phase 3 monotherapy program, following earlier clinical studies.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Study cagrilintide alone separately from CagriSema. Evidence for a combination cannot automatically be assigned to either component by itself.
- Novo Nordisk · 2025 annual report / 2026 development plans (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · CagriSema phase 3 update, September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · topline results
Amylin
CagriSema
Cagrilintide + semaglutide
Investigational · phase 3 / submitted in U.S.
Two-molecule combination: amylin + GLP-1 receptor agonism.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk, Denmark.
- How it got here
- Novo reports a U.S. submission in December 2025. Its September 21, 2026 update describes phase 3 REIMAGINE-5 and REDEFINE-9 findings and explicitly calls the product investigational.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Submission is not approval. Reported head-to-head findings concern the specific doses, populations and endpoints tested; they do not establish universal superiority over tirzepatide.
- Novo Nordisk · 2025 annual report / 2026 development plans (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · CagriSema phase 3 update, September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer · topline results
Amylin
Zenagamtide
Amycretin
Investigational · phase 2 evidence / phase 3 development
Single molecule targeting GLP-1 and amylin receptors.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Novo Nordisk, Denmark.
- How it got here
- June 2026 reporting described phase 2 results in type 2 diabetes. Novo describes separate obesity and diabetes programs, with oral and subcutaneous development.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Unlike CagriSema, this is a unimolecular approach. Planned phase 3 initiation and completed phase 2 results are different milestones; neither is approval.
- Novo Nordisk · zenagamtide phase 2 data, June 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · 2025 annual report / 2026 development plans (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
Amylin
Petrelintide
ZP8396
Investigational · phase 2 / phase 3 transition
Long-acting amylin analogue.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Zealand Pharma, Denmark; global collaboration with Roche, Switzerland, announced March 2025.
- How it got here
- Zealand describes ZUPREME phase 2 studies and planned phase 3 initiation in the second half of 2026. Its pipeline badge says phase 3 while the accompanying text still describes initiation as planned.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- The source is internally mixed about initiation, so this page does not claim a verified first phase 3 participant. A separate petrelintide / CT-388 combination program targets amylin plus GIP/GLP-1 pathways.
- Zealand Pharma · petrelintide development (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Zealand Pharma · petrelintide / CT-388 program (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
Amylin
Eloralintide
LY3841136
Investigational · phase 3
Selective amylin receptor agonist.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Eli Lilly, United States.
- How it got here
- Lilly reports phase 2 findings in 2025 and ongoing phase 3 monotherapy trials in its 2026 update.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Separate the monotherapy program from EloraTZP. Selective amylin targeting is being investigated; it is not proof of superior tolerability for every patient.
Amylin
EloraTZP
Eloralintide + tirzepatide
Investigational · phase 2b evidence
Combination engaging amylin, GIP and GLP-1 pathways.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Eli Lilly, United States.
- How it got here
- Phase 2b findings in people with obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes were reported in September 2026. Lilly describes phase 3 co-formulation trials as planned by the end of 2026.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Three pathways across a combination, rather than the same molecule or receptor profile as retatrutide. A future trial plan is not confirmation that it has started.
Five-target research
GLP-1–GIP–Lani
GLP-1R / GIPR / PPARα / PPARγ / PPARδ
Preclinical · mice
Two incretin receptors plus three nuclear PPAR targets.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Liskiewicz and colleagues; an international collaboration with Helmholtz Munich and university partners.
- How it got here
- Published in Nature on April 29, 2026. The study evaluated an incretin-directed conjugate carrying the pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- These are five targets, but not five interchangeable gut-hormone receptors. Mouse findings do not establish human safety, efficacy, dosing or availability. This is a research construct, not an approved medication.
- Liskiewicz and colleagues · quintuple agonism in mice, Nature, April 2026 (opens in a new tab)Original preclinical research
Five-target research
Five hormone-receptor agonism
ADA 2026 abstract 2839-LB
Preclinical · obese rats
GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon / amylin / calcitonin receptors.
History, origins & where it stands
- People / development connection
- Research reported in the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 scientific abstract collection.
- How it got here
- The conference abstract reports a long-acting five-receptor approach studied in obese rats. It is distinct from GLP-1–GIP–Lani.
- Current context · October 7, 2026
- Evidence here is limited to the original conference abstract record. No confirmed generic drug name, human efficacy or approved indication is assigned. A vendor’s “penta” label does not establish that a product is this research compound.
- ADA · five-receptor agonist in obese rats, abstract 2839-LB, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Conference abstract · preclinical
A parallel history
Amylin deserves its own chapter.
Amylin is co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells. Its therapeutic analogues engage a different pathway from GLP-1, with effects on meal-related glucose regulation and satiety. Pramlintide provides the established diabetes precedent; newer long-acting approaches are being tested for obesity and related conditions.
An approved precedent
Pramlintide / Symlin: U.S. approval in 2005 for selected insulin-treated patients. That is not an obesity approval for newer amylin candidates.
Long-acting amylin research
Cagrilintide, petrelintide and eloralintide pursue different designs and development programs. Their trial phases and evidence should be tracked separately.
Combining pathways
CagriSema, EloraTZP, zenagamtide and petrelintide / CT-388 explore combinations with incretin pathways. A co-formulation and a single multi-target molecule are different approaches.
- FDA · Symlin label and 2005 original approval (opens in a new tab)Regulator
- Novo Nordisk · 2025 annual report / 2026 development plans (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk · zenagamtide phase 2 data, June 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Zealand Pharma · petrelintide / CT-388 program (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
- Lilly · eloralintide and EloraTZP development (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
A worldwide field, with local decisions
These examples cover six inhabited continents. They are a starting point for regional verification, not a complete country-by-country legal or prescribing guide. Authorization, approved indication, market launch, supply, reimbursement and import rules are separate questions.
North America
United States · FDA
Foundayo’s April 2026 decision is one current example. Approval is specific to the product, indication and population—not the entire receptor class.
Europe
European Union · EMA / European Commission; UK · MHRA
EU product records document separate histories for Trulicity, Mounjaro and semaglutide formulations. The UK has its own regulator and labeling; EU authorization is not a worldwide license.
Asia
China · NMPA; Japan · PMDA / MHLW
China’s history includes locally developed medicines such as efsubaglutide alfa and mazdutide. Japan’s review reports include Wegovy’s March 2023 approval. These systems should be read independently.
South America
Brazil · Anvisa
Anvisa maintains its own Wegovy registration and indication record. Brazilian authorization and access should not be inferred from FDA or EMA dates.
Africa
South Africa · SAHPRA
SAHPRA publishes local Wegovy product information. South Africa is one example—not a substitute for checking each African country’s regulator, supply and access.
Oceania
Australia · TGA
TGA publishes Australian registration decisions. A regional approval record does not establish New Zealand or Pacific-island authorization or availability.
Research directions, not promised outcomes
Where are we headed?
Five targets: two different approaches
The 2026 Nature study links GLP-1/GIP targeting with PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ activity. A separate ADA abstract describes GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, amylin and calcitonin targeting. Both are preclinical animal research in the cited records. They are not the same molecule or established human therapies.
- Liskiewicz and colleagues · quintuple agonism in mice, Nature, April 2026 (opens in a new tab)Original preclinical research
- ADA · five-receptor agonist in obese rats, abstract 2839-LB, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Conference abstract · preclinical
More routes and combinations
Oral small molecules are now part of the approved U.S. landscape. Amylin combinations and multi-agonists are testing whether different pathway combinations offer useful benefits. Trial results, regulatory review and local access remain separate steps.
What to watch beyond a weight-loss headline
- Who was studied, against which comparator, at what dose and for how long?
- What happened to cardiovascular, kidney or liver outcomes, physical function, quality of life and treatment discontinuation?
- What are the adverse events, tolerability limits and uncertainties in underrepresented populations?
- Can people obtain sustained, affordable care in their own country, and what happens after stopping treatment?
Percentages from separate trials are not a fair league table. More receptors, a successful animal experiment or a positive sponsor release do not by themselves prove a better treatment.
Follow the science—and the people behind it.
Watch the exenatide story, explore registered studies by location, or contribute an experience to WPF’s separate observation record.
Watch Peptides in 2™ →Find studies worldwide →Explore the peptide directory →Contribute an observation →
Self-reported experiences can raise research questions. They remain distinct from controlled clinical evidence and do not establish causation or rates of harm.
Sources, coverage & updates
This edition covers major GLP-1 medicines, selected regional therapies, amylin programs and emerging multi-target research. It is not an exhaustive list of every trial, trade name or country approval. Sources are linked beside the relevant claims and identified as regulator records, original research, institutional histories or manufacturer reports. Source checking is not independent scientific assessment or a claim of personal human review.
Current-status statements are dated October 7, 2026. This page is updated when its content is revised; the date does not advance automatically. Company forecasts are identified as plans, and missing or conflicting details remain explicit. Consult the linked local regulator for current labeling.
Educational information, not medical advice. WPF does not sell peptides. This page does not provide dosing, sourcing or individualized treatment recommendations. Submit a sourced correction or missing milestone.