How does it work?
Whereas GLP-1 analogues mainly mimic one incretin signal, cagrilintide mimics the amylin system. Studies investigate whether the amylin signal can reduce food intake and body weight, and whether the combination with semaglutide can produce a greater effect than either substance alone. This is clinical drug research, not documentation for the use of unregulated research products.
Technical mechanism
Long-acting amylin analogue. Research particularly investigates satiety signalling, appetite regulation and combination with GLP-1-based signalling pathways.
What is being researched?
- Weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity
- The combination cagrilintide + semaglutide (CagriSema)
- Blood sugar and weight in people with type 2 diabetes
- Tolerability, side effects and pharmacokinetics in early-phase studies
About the evidence: The body of data for cagrilintide is still developing. Phase 2 and phase 3 studies in humans have been published, particularly for the combination with semaglutide. The studies concern controlled drug candidates, not openly available research products, and are largely manufacturer-sponsored.
Research profile
Studies and sources
The links go to independent research databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, ClinicalTrials.gov). The studies are in English and open in a new tab.
Weight and amylin signalling
Clinical studies have investigated cagrilintide as a long-acting amylin analogue for weight management.
- 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 Clinical (human)PubMed· 2021
This phase 2 study investigated different doses of cagrilintide in adults with overweight or obesity. The study found dose-dependent weight reduction compared with placebo, and also made a comparison with liraglutide. Common side effects were mainly gastrointestinal complaints. This is controlled clinical research on a drug candidate.
Cagrilintide together with semaglutide
Recent phase 3 studies are investigating the combination CagriSema, in which cagrilintide is given together with semaglutide.
- Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity Clinical (human)PubMed· 2025
In this phase 3a study, the combination cagrilintide + semaglutide was investigated in adults with overweight or obesity. The combination produced greater weight reduction than placebo and was also compared with semaglutide alone. The study describes the clinical effect and tolerability of a controlled combination treatment.
- Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of concomitant administration of multiple doses of cagrilintide with semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management Clinical (human)PubMed· 2021
This early randomised study looked at safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics when cagrilintide was given together with semaglutide. The aim was to map the combination before larger efficacy studies, particularly with regard to weight, exposure and side effects.