Table 3.
Examples of molecules or targets in development for obesity treatment.
| Molecule or Class of Drugs | Mode of Action | Example Drugs and Status in Development | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | Approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes (1mg once weekly, sc injection), Phase 3 trials for obesity (2.4mg once weekly sc injections) | (110, 111) |
| Dual incretin agonists, “Twincretins” | GLP-1/glucagon coagonists, GLP-1/GIP coagonists | Phase 2 GLP-1/glucagon coagonists (e.g. MEDI0382) GLP-1/GIP coagonists (e.g. Tirzepatide, LY3298176; NNC9204-1177) | (104, 106, 112, 113) |
| Triagonists of the incretin system | GLP-1/ GIP/glucagon | Phase 1b (e.g. NNC9204-1706) preclinical | (114, 115) |
| Setmelanotide | MC4R-agonist target | Phase 2 (eg, RM-493) | (118, 119) |
| Amylin analogues | Amylin agonism | Phase 1–2 (eg, AM833; Davalintide: AC2307) | (103, 116) |
| PYY analogue | PYY agonism | Phase 1b (eg, PYY1562) | (103, 116, 117) |
| FGF21 | Stimulation of glucose uptake, adiponectin secretion | Obesity: Phase 1b Type 2 diabetes: Phase 2 | (121) |
| GDF-15 | - | Preclinical | (122, 123) |
| Leptin analogues | Human recombinant leptin analogue | Phase Metreleptin (Myalept) and pramlintide-metreleptin combination | (121) |
| Velneperit | Neuropeptide Y5 receptor antagonist | Preclinical (eg, S-2367) | (103, 116) |
| Cannabinoid type-1 receptor blockers | Antagonism of cannabinoid type-1 receptors | Preclinical studies (eg, SR141716, AM251, AM 6545) | (103, 116) |
| Icilin/ dimethylphenyl-piperazinium (DMPP) | Activation of cold and nicotinic receptors | Preclinical studies | (124) |