In a groundbreaking development for obesity treatment, Novo Nordisk has unveiled promising results from early-stage clinical trials of its experimental drug, amycretin, which has demonstrated the potential to help overweight and obese adults shed up to nearly a quarter of their body weight.
The findings, published on June 20, 2025, in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet and presented at the American Diabetes Association's 85th Scientific Sessions in Chicago, highlight amycretin's effectiveness in both injectable and oral forms. This dual approach could revolutionize patient options in the ongoing battle against obesity, a chronic disease that affects millions worldwide and imposes a staggering financial burden on healthcare systems.
Amycretin is a novel, unimolecular drug designed to target two key receptors involved in appetite regulation and blood sugar control: the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and the amylin receptor. By activating these receptors, the drug aims to curb hunger and improve metabolic parameters, offering a comprehensive approach to weight management.
In a phase 1b/2a clinical trial involving 125 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 27 to 39.9 kg/m2, weekly subcutaneous (injection) administration of amycretin resulted in significant weight loss. Participants receiving the highest dose—60 mg—experienced an average weight reduction of 24.3% over 36 weeks, compared to just 1.1% in the placebo group. Even at a 20 mg dose, patients lost approximately 22% of their body weight. These results surpass previous benchmarks set by other leading weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy), which has shown weight loss of up to 15% over a longer period.
Parallel to the injection trial, a separate phase 1 study assessed the safety and efficacy of oral amycretin in 144 adults over 12 weeks. Participants taking the highest daily dose of 100 mg lost an average of 13.1% of their body weight, significantly more than the 1.2% loss observed in the placebo group. Lower doses, such as 50 mg daily, also yielded notable weight reductions of around 10.4%. Importantly, no plateau in weight loss was observed during the trial durations, suggesting that continued treatment could lead to even greater results.
Side effects for both formulations were mostly mild to moderate, primarily gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. These adverse events tended to increase with higher doses but generally resolved by the end of treatment. Such tolerability profiles align with those of other powerful obesity medications currently on the market.
Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk's Executive Vice President for Development, expressed optimism about the future of amycretin. "We are pleased with the promising results of amycretin and the feedback from regulatory authorities and are excited to advance both subcutaneous and oral versions of this molecule into phase 3 development for weight management," he said. The company plans to initiate these late-stage trials in early 2026, with the program expected to run for several years before regulatory review.
Obesity is a complex and progressive chronic disease influenced by genetics, environment, and social factors. It affects about 40% of adults in the United States alone and costs the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK an estimated £11.4 billion annually, according to Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS's national medical director. The financial and health burdens of obesity underscore the urgent need for effective, accessible treatments.
Current weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have gained popularity but come with challenges such as injection discomfort and global supply shortages. Novo Nordisk's development of an oral amycretin pill could broaden accessibility and appeal to patients hesitant about injections. As Professor Sir Stephen Powis noted during the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, weight loss jabs could become as widely prescribed as statins if competition drives down costs.
Despite the excitement, experts caution that while additional weight loss is beneficial, obesity management is evolving to focus more on reducing cardiovascular risks and other obesity-related comorbidities. Tricia Tan, professor of metabolic medicine at Imperial College London, and endocrinologist Dr. Bernard Khoo emphasize the importance of direct comparative studies between amycretin and existing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic to fully understand their relative benefits.
In the meantime, Novo Nordisk continues to expand its obesity treatment portfolio. From June 23, 2025, UK general practitioners will be able to prescribe Mounjaro, marking a significant milestone in making advanced therapies more widely available. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly is also advancing its experimental pill, orforglipron, which has shown promise in weight loss and blood sugar control, with results expected later this year.
In summary, amycretin's dual-action mechanism, demonstrated efficacy in both injectable and oral forms, and favorable safety profile position it as a potentially transformative option in obesity care. As clinical development progresses, the medical community and patients alike eagerly await further evidence on its long-term benefits and role in comprehensive weight management strategies.
