Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, has developed a new pill, Amycretin, that could help individuals lose up to 13% of their body weight in just three months, according to recent trial results.
Unlike Ozempic, which is an injectable drug, Amycretin is a daily tablet. It works by mimicking two hormones: GLP-1, which helps suppress appetite, and amylin, which helps control blood sugar and makes people feel full.
Researchers highlighted the convenience of Amycretin as a pill, noting that it could offer a simpler alternative for those managing overweight or obesity. “A single molecule targeting both amylin and GLP-1 biology in tablet form could provide a more convenient approach to achieving better outcomes,” they said. These findings were presented this week at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Madrid.
Novo Nordisk conducted a 12-week study involving overweight or obese participants who were not diabetic. In the trial, participants were given either Amycretin or a placebo. Those who took a 50-milligram dose of Amycretin lost an average of 10.4% of their body weight. Participants who took the highest dose, 100 milligrams, lost 13.1% of their weight. In contrast, those who received a placebo experienced only a 1.1% reduction.
For comparison, other weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic showed smaller results in recent studies. Mounjaro patients lost 5.9% of their body weight in three months, while Ozempic users lost 3.6%.
Amycretin’s side effects were primarily mild to moderate, with some participants reporting nausea and vomiting. A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk described the drug as “safe” and “well-tolerated.”
The researchers emphasized the potential for even greater weight loss with continued use, stating that participants did not reach a plateau in weight reduction during the study period. “The lack of weight loss plateauing indicates the possibility of achieving further reductions with extended treatment,” they wrote.
It remains unclear when Amycretin will be available on the market. Further testing is needed to confirm its safety and efficacy. A Phase 1 trial for an injectable version of Amycretin, similar to Ozempic, is expected to conclude next year, and Novo Nordisk has already begun Phase 2 trials for people with diabetes.
Experts are cautiously optimistic. Dr. Andrea Bedrosian, director of bariatrics at North Shore University Hospital, called the development of a weight-loss pill “good news” for those battling obesity. However, she stressed the importance of further testing. “Certainly, more testing over longer periods is necessary to determine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of this treatment,” she said. “Judgment should be reserved until larger and longer-term trials are completed.”
If successful in its testing phases, Amycretin could become a new, convenient option for people looking to manage their weight without the need for injections.
