Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is an investigational, long-acting synthetic peptide that acts as a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA), primarily under development for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is a structural analog of the naturally occurring hormone amylin, which is co-secreted with insulin by the pancreas and plays a key role in appetite regulation, gastric emptying, and glucose control. Cagrilintide was specifically engineered with molecular modifications to resist rapid breakdown in the body and bind effectively to amylin 1 and 3 (AMY1R, AMY3R) receptors in the brain, allowing for a more stable, once-weekly dosing regimen compared to the multiple daily injections required for older amylin analogues like pramlintide. By activating these receptors in the brain’s satiety centers (like the area postrema), it promotes feelings of fullness, reduces food intake, and helps stabilize post-meal blood sugar spikes, making it a promising candidate for weight management, particularly in combination with the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide (marketed as CagriSema)