The Amgen Weight Loss Drug, MariTide, has demonstrated promising results in a Phase 2 clinical trial, helping participants lose up to 20% of their body weight over a year. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting, suggest that MariTide could soon emerge as a strong competitor in the weight loss drug market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
MariTide is a GLP-1-based therapy, similar to established drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, but the Amgen Weight Loss Drug sets itself apart by incorporating a monoclonal antibody that extends the drug’s presence in the body. This innovation allows the drug to be administered once a month, rather than weekly. According to Dr. Michelle Ponder of Duke University School of Medicine, less frequent dosing could significantly ease treatment routines, especially for patients already managing multiple medications for conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
The trial involved nearly 600 adults—both with and without diabetes—who were administered various doses of MariTide or a placebo over 52 weeks. Among participants with obesity but no diabetes, MariTide led to an average weight loss of up to 20%, compared to just 2.6% with placebo. Participants with diabetes lost an average of 17%, versus 1.4% in the placebo group. The drug also lowered A1c levels, a key blood sugar marker, by as much as 2.2 percentage points, and improved cardiovascular health indicators such as blood pressure, inflammation, and cholesterol.
Competition Intensifies in Weight Loss Drug Market
The Amgen Weight Loss Drug entry signals an intensifying race in the weight loss and diabetes treatment arena, as other pharmaceutical giants also presented notable findings at the diabetes conference. Eli Lilly’s experimental drug elaninide, which targets the hormone amylin instead of GLP-1, showed an 11.3% weight reduction in just 12 weeks. Meanwhile, another Lilly candidate, retatrutide, helped participants shed 24% of body weight in a mid-stage trial.
Lilly is also testing a combination of semaglutide and bimagrumab, a monoclonal antibody that helps maintain lean muscle mass, and has reported favorable outcomes. Additionally, the company’s oral GLP-1 pill, forglipron, demonstrated significant blood sugar control in Phase 3 trials.
Novo Nordisk, too, made headlines with its new compound, CagriSema, a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide. In a large-scale trial involving over 4,500 people, CagriSema achieved an average 20.4% weight loss in individuals without diabetes and 13.7% in those with Type 2 diabetes.
A Growing Market with More Accessible Options Ahead
Experts say the growing variety of weight loss drugs, including the Amgen Weight Loss Drug, may translate into better outcomes and more accessibility for patients. “There’s not going to be one right answer,” noted Dr. Shauna Levy of Tulane Bariatric Center. She emphasized that treating obesity remains complex and individualized, making multiple therapeutic options essential.
As more pharmaceutical players enter the market, affordability and access may improve. Currently, drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound can cost over $1,000 per month, limiting patient access. However, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have recently introduced lower-cost versions, and increased competition may further drive down prices.
“The more options, the better,” said Dr. Ponder. “Even if new drugs aren’t necessarily stronger, having another manufacturer helps expand access to life-changing treatments.”
