What it is

Cagrilintide is a long-acting version of amylin, a hormone released with insulin after meals that slows stomach emptying and signals fullness. Novo Nordisk developed it for once-weekly injection, both on its own and combined with semaglutide in a product called CagriSema.

How it works

Amylin acts on receptors in the brainstem and hypothalamus that reduce food intake and slow gastric emptying. Cagrilintide activates both amylin and calcitonin receptors. Because this pathway is different from GLP-1, researchers expected the two to add together, which is the idea behind CagriSema.

What the research shows

In a 26-week phase 2 trial in adults with overweight or obesity, once-weekly cagrilintide produced up to 10.8% weight loss, compared with 3.0% on placebo and 9.0% on liraglutide (Lau et al., Lancet, 2021).
In the 68-week REDEFINE 1 trial, the cagrilintide and semaglutide combination produced 22.7% weight loss, compared with 11.8% for cagrilintide alone, 16.1% for semaglutide alone and 2.3% for placebo.
In REDEFINE 4, the combination did not meet its goal of matching tirzepatide (2026).
The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, such as nausea and constipation.

Regulatory status

Investigational. Not approved on its own. Novo Nordisk submitted the cagrilintide and semaglutide combination (CagriSema) to the FDA in December 2025, and the agency had not issued a decision as of this review.

Storage and handling

Research vials are supplied as freeze-dried powder. Store sealed, cold and dark; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C.

Reconstitution math

To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with Cagrilintide selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.

Key references

Lau DCW et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2021.
Garvey WT et al. Coadministered cagrilintide and semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025.
Search PubMed for Cagrilintide studies

Educational content only

Peptide Knowledge is an educational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice, a treatment recommendation or dosing guidance. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use and are sold for laboratory research only. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping or changing any medication or supplement.

Cagrilintide