Monthly Injectables Emerging as Future Obesity Treatment: Report

New Delhi: A report by GlobalData highlights the potential for once-monthly injectable medications to become the next breakthrough in obesity management, offering an alternative to the currently popular once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists.

The rising global obesity epidemic is fueling substantial investment in the obesity drug market. Current trends include exploring novel mechanisms of action, developing oral therapies, and reducing the burden on patients by lowering the frequency of drug administration. While once-weekly injections from pharmaceutical giants like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have been well-received, their weekly administration can still be cumbersome for some patients.

The report identifies Amgen and Metsera as frontrunners in the race to develop ultra-long-acting, once-monthly obesity treatments. For these next-generation therapies to succeed, they must demonstrate efficacy on par with existing once-weekly options, according to Costanza Alciati, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData.

Amgen’s MariTide (maridebard cafradutide) is a promising candidate, showing significant results in clinical trials. In a 52-week study, the drug achieved an average weight loss of 17% in patients, with no evidence of a weight loss plateau. Remarkably, 99% of participants experienced more than 5% weight loss.

Metsera is also advancing the field with its MET-097i candidate. Originally designed for once-weekly dosing, the drug's long half-life made it suitable for once-monthly administration. In a Phase IIa trial spanning 12 weeks, MET-097i achieved a placebo-adjusted mean body weight loss of 11.3%, with no weight loss plateau. While the trial had a small sample size and short duration, the results are encouraging. “This amount of weight loss in such a short time frame is impressive. Larger trials with broader cohorts will determine the long-term potential,” said Alciati.

The report predicts that GLP-1R agonists will dominate the obesity market, with projected sales reaching $125.3 billion by 2033 across seven major markets, including the US, UK, and Japan. Of this, 90% is expected to come from obesity drug sales. Amgen’s and Metsera’s therapies are likely to be part of this next generation, alongside oral formulations and drugs targeting new mechanisms of action.

“The exciting part is that these next-generation drugs are already in clinical stages, suggesting they may reach the market sooner than anticipated,” added Alciati. With advancements in long-acting medications and innovative approaches, the obesity drug development space is entering a transformative phase that could significantly impact patient care.