The next-generation GLP-1 pipeline
Written by
WeighedHealth Editorial Team
Editorial team-reviewed
Against primary clinical sources- 0.0%
- retatrutide 12 mg, 80 weeks (TRIUMPH-1)
- Apr 0 2026
- Foundayo (orforglipron) FDA approval
- $0-299
- Foundayo monthly self-pay, by dose
- Q0 2026
- expected FDA decision on CagriSema
Today's approved injectables produced 14.9% (semaglutide 2.4 mg, STEP 1, 68 weeks) to 20.9% (tirzepatide 15 mg, SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks) mean weight loss in their pivotal trials. The next wave pushes higher and, just as importantly, moves beyond the weekly injection. Here's what's actually in late-stage development, with honest timelines, none of these is a reason to wait if you qualify for a treatment available today.
Orforglipron
Eli LillyOral non-peptide GLP-1
Status: FDA-approved April 1, 2026 as Foundayo, for chronic weight management; sold via LillyDirect
11.2% mean weight loss at 72 weeks on the highest dose (17.2 mg) in ATTAIN-1; label allows dosing with or without food, unlike the fasting rules for oral semaglutide
Full Orforglipron page →Retatrutide
Eli LillyTriple agonist (GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon)
Status: Phase 3 (TRIUMPH) topline results reported May-July 2026; not yet FDA-approved
28.3% mean weight loss at 80 weeks on 12 mg in TRIUMPH-1 (efficacy estimand; 23.7% by treatment-regimen estimand), per Lilly's topline release
Full Retatrutide page →CagriSema
Novo NordiskSemaglutide + cagrilintide (amylin analog)
Status: Submitted to FDA December 2025; US decision expected Q4 2026
Adds an amylin analog to semaglutide; -20.4% mean weight change at 68 weeks vs -3.0% with placebo in REDEFINE 1 (NEJM 2025)
Oral semaglutide 25mg (oral Wegovy)
Novo NordiskOral GLP-1 peptide (high-dose)
Status: FDA-approved December 22, 2025 as the Wegovy pill; launched January 2026
16.6% mean weight loss in OASIS 4 among participants who stayed on treatment, similar to injectable Wegovy 2.4 mg; taken on an empty stomach with up to 4 oz of water, 30 minutes before food
Full Oral semaglutide 25mg (oral Wegovy) page →A safety note: investigational drugs like retatrutide are not legally for sale. Any website offering to ship “retatrutide” today is operating outside the law and outside FDA safety oversight. The only legitimate access is a clinical trial.
Primary sources: Foundayo label, ATTAIN-1 results (Lilly Medical), Foundayo self-pay prices, TRIUMPH-1 topline (Lilly), REDEFINE 1 (NEJM), Novo Nordisk Q2 2026 report, Wegovy pill approval (Novo Nordisk), Wegovy pill dosing, STEP 1 (NEJM), SURMOUNT-1 (NEJM).