Cagrilintide
Long-Acting Amylin Analog — Appetite & Satiety Hormone
What is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk. Amylin is a peptide co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells that promotes satiety, slows gastric emptying, and reduces glucagon secretion. Cagrilintide's key clinical application is its combination with semaglutide as CagriSema — which Phase 3 data shows produces approximately 22.7% weight loss, approaching Tirzepatide efficacy.
Cagrilintide binds amylin receptors (AMY1-3) in the area postrema and hypothalamus, producing satiety signals that are distinct from and complementary to GLP-1 receptor activation. By combining GLP-1 (appetite suppression, insulin secretion) with amylin (satiety, glucagon suppression, gastric emptying delay) pathways, the CagriSema combination addresses obesity through two complementary mechanisms rather than one.
Research Evidence
Phase 2 COMBINE 3 trial of CagriSema (cagrilintide 2.4mg + semaglutide 2.4mg) showed approximately 22.7% body weight reduction at 32 weeks — among the highest ever reported for a weekly injectable combination.
Cagrilintide alone showed approximately 10.8% weight reduction in Phase 2, comparable to liraglutide and establishing amylin agonism as a meaningful weight loss mechanism.
Phase 3 REDEFINE trials of CagriSema are ongoing as of 2026. Results expected to support potential FDA submission.
Evidence grades: Gold = RCT human data · Silver = consistent animal/human data · Bronze = limited or preliminary
Dosing Protocols
Reconstitution / Preparation
This compound does not require reconstitution — oral or pre-mixed formulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Cagrilintide and Pramlintide?
Both are amylin analogs. Pramlintide (Symlin) is FDA-approved, short-acting, and requires injection with each meal. Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog with a 7-day half-life allowing once-weekly dosing. This makes cagrilintide practical as a weekly combination partner with semaglutide (CagriSema), whereas pramlintide's dosing burden limits its use.
How does CagriSema compare to Tirzepatide?
Phase 2 CagriSema data shows approximately 22.7% weight loss, very close to Tirzepatide's SURMOUNT-1 results (~20.9% at 72 weeks). The head-to-head comparison is eagerly awaited. CagriSema combines two distinct mechanisms (GLP-1 + amylin) while Tirzepatide combines two receptor agonisms (GLP-1 + GIP). The Phase 3 REDEFINE data will clarify the comparative efficacy.
References
- [1]Frias JP, et al. COMBINE 3: cagrilintide 2.4 mg combined with semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023.
- [2]Enebo LB, Berthelsen KK, Kankam M, et al. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of cagrilintide with semaglutide. Lancet. 2021;397(10286):1736-1748.
This profile was prepared using AI-assisted research synthesis. Citations are provided where applicable — verify with primary sources before clinical application.
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