In just over a decade, GLP-1 research moved from twice-daily injections to once-weekly dosing and then to molecules that hit two or three hormone receptors at once. Here is a short timeline of how the field got here.
Semaglutide and the weight-loss shift
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide was approved for type 2 diabetes as the weekly injection Ozempic in 2017, followed by an oral tablet, Rybelsus, in 2019. In the STEP 1 trial, adults with obesity lost about 15% of body weight on average over 68 weeks, and the FDA approved semaglutide for chronic weight management as Wegovy in 2021.
Heart outcomes
The SELECT trial, reported in 2023, followed more than 17,000 adults with overweight or obesity and existing cardiovascular disease but no diabetes. Semaglutide cut major adverse cardiovascular events by about 20% compared with placebo, which moved the conversation beyond weight alone.
Two receptors: tirzepatide
Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It was approved as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes in 2022 and as Zepbound for weight management in November 2023. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, the highest dose produced an average weight loss of about 21% over 72 weeks.
Three receptors: retatrutide
The next step under study is retatrutide, an investigational triple agonist of the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. In a phase 2 trial published in 2023, the highest dose produced an average weight loss of about 24% at 48 weeks. Phase 3 studies are ongoing, and the compound is not approved by the FDA.
What to watch
Current research is focused on oral small-molecule GLP-1 agonists, combination therapies, and new uses in conditions such as sleep apnea, kidney disease and liver disease. Watch for phase 3 readouts and FDA decisions as the field keeps moving.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Products sold by Cacti Research Solutions are for research/laboratory use only.
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