How is cagrilintide different from GLP-1 drugs?

GLP-1 agonists act on the GLP-1 receptor, while cagrilintide is an amylin analog acting on amylin/calcitonin receptors. The two mechanisms are complementary, which is why they are often combined for greater weight loss.

CagriSema is the investigational fixed combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide, designed to pair amylin and GLP-1 receptor agonism for enhanced appetite suppression and weight reduction.

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Weight & Metabolic

Clinical

Cagrilintide

Also known as: Cagrilintide, AM833

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed for weight management, often paired with semaglutide. It slows gastric emptying and increases satiety to reduce food intake.

Mechanism of Action

Cagrilintide is an acylated, long-acting analog of the pancreatic hormone amylin that acts as a non-selective agonist at amylin and calcitonin receptors (AMY receptors formed by the calcitonin receptor plus RAMP proteins). Activation of these receptors in the area postrema and hypothalamus slows gastric emptying, suppresses glucagon secretion, and enhances satiety signaling, lowering caloric intake. The fatty-acid acylation enables albumin binding for a prolonged, once-weekly pharmacokinetic profile. When combined with GLP-1 agonism (e.g., in CagriSema), it produces complementary, additive appetite suppression.

Half-life: Approximately 7-9 days, supporting once-weekly administration
Administration Routes: subcutaneous
Research Status: Clinical