Amgen's experimental GLP-1 drug, MariTide, resulted in an average 20% reduction in body weight in a 52-week phase 2 study, the company said Nov. 26.
MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide) is a bispecific glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) — the same drug class as Eli Lilly's approved weight loss drug, Zepbound (tirzepatide). Amgen is investigating MariTide as a potential therapy for obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The trial enrolled 465 adults who are obese or overweight and 127 adults with Type 2 diabetes. Study participants received a monthly placebo or doses of 140 milligrams, 280 milligrams or 420 milligrams of MariTide. The dose escalation to 420 milligrams occurred either over four weeks or 12 weeks.
For non-diabetic participants who are obese or overweight, the average weight loss was about 20%. Those with diabetes who are either obese or overweight averaged 17% weight loss and lowered their average hemoglobin A1C by up to 2.2 percentage points.
Amgen researchers did not observe a weight loss plateau.
The most common side effects were gastrointestinal events, including nausea, vomiting and constipation. Participants who experienced a weight loss of at least 15% are eligible for part two of the phase 2 study, which is investigating the drug beyond 52 weeks.
Based on the trial's results, Amgen will launch a phase 3 study to research MariTide's effects on obesity and obesity-related conditions. The drugmaker is also advancing an obesity pipeline with oral and injectable candidates.