Encyclopedia

Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic amylin analog from Novo Nordisk that curbs appetite and slows gastric emptying, often paired with semaglutide as CagriSema. It has run Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials, but as of mid-2026 the standalone drug is investigational and not FDA-approved. Educational, not medical advice.

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Category	GLP-1 / Metabolic
Regulatory status	Not FDA-approved as of mid-2026 (investigational).

Mechanism

A long-acting synthetic analog of the hormone amylin (an amylin-receptor / calcitonin-receptor agonist) developed by Novo Nordisk; it promotes satiety, slows gastric emptying, and reduces food intake, and is being developed largely in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema).

Half-life

Long-acting; reported at approximately 7-8 days (around 184 hours), consistent with once-weekly dosing. It is a peptide analog.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved as of mid-2026 (investigational). Novo Nordisk submitted an NDA for the CagriSema combination; standalone cagrilintide is not approved. Would be expected to be subject to anti-doping rules where applicable.

Safety

Trial-reported effects are mainly gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite), as with incretin/amylin agents. Long-term safety still under investigation.

Evidence

Human clinical trials (Phase 2/3, including the CagriSema program); investigational, not yet approved.

Sources

Lau DCW, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity. Lancet. 2021. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01751-7/abstract
Enebo LB, et al. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of cagrilintide with semaglutide. Lancet. 2021. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00845-X/abstract
Garvey WT, et al. Coadministered cagrilintide and semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (REDEFINE 1). N Engl J Med. 2025. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2502081
Davies MJ, et al. Cagrilintide-semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes (REDEFINE 2). N Engl J Med. 2025. https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMoa2502082
Kruse T, et al. Development of cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue. J Med Chem. 2021.
ClinicalTrials.gov. REDEFINE clinical program (NCT05567796, NCT05394519).

PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Cagrilintide may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.