Innovative Approaches to Weight Loss Medications

Various pharmaceutical companies are developing different forms of weight loss medications, such as injectable and oral pills. The effectiveness of these drugs varies, with some showing weight loss percentages of up to 15% over 13 weeks. Companies like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer are working on their own GLP-1 pills, which could be preferred by patients over injections. Amgen is working on an injectable drug called Meritide that targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors, promoting weight loss through a mechanism that involves blocking GIP receptors. Research on mice and individuals with receptor mutations supports the efficacy of these approaches, with early-stage trials showing weight loss percentages exceeding 14% over 12 weeks.