The hot weight-loss drug track has welcomed a new competitor.
According to reports, the American pharmaceutical giant Amgen is trying a new weight-loss drug with a mechanism of action different from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's products, which can prevent patients from rebounding even after stopping the medication.
The drug being tested by Amgen is called MariTide, similar to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound, which can activate the gastrointestinal hormone receptor GLP-1 to suppress appetite, and is also an injectable weight-loss drug.
MariTide can block another hormone receptor GIP, instead of activating it like Zepbound. Genetic studies have shown that blocking the GIP receptor is associated with lower body fat and weight.
A small-scale early clinical trial showed that patients taking Amgen's highest dose of 420 milligrams lost an average of 14.5% of their weight in 12 weeks. In contrast to currently available drugs, MariTide seems to help patients maintain weight loss for a longer period after stopping the medication.
Another unique aspect is that the dosing frequency of MariTide may be lower than existing drugs. Currently, Wegovy and Zepbound require weekly injections, while MariTide can be injected monthly or even longer. This is mainly due to the monoclonal antibody component in MariTide, which allows the drug to stay in the body for a longer period.
In the future, the lower dosing frequency may become a major selling point for MariTide, as many patients do not want frequent injections. However, whether patients ultimately choose MariTide will depend on whether its weight-loss efficacy and side effects can be comparable to existing products.
Later this year, Amgen will release data from the two ongoing clinical trials, providing the public with a clearer understanding of MariTide's competitive prospects in the obesity drug market. Analysts believe that these trial data will answer some key questions, including patient tolerance at different doses

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