The Prospects for Targeting Amylin in Obesity Are Rising Again

More than a decade ago, targeting amylin receptors for treating obesity looked like hot opportunity. Amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells, plays a role in regulating satiety and food intake. An amylin analog, pramlintide, gained FDA approval for treating diabetes. But efforts to develop it for treating obesity never quite panned out for Amylin Pharmaceuticals. GLP-1 receptor agonists took off instead.

So why is the idea of targeting amylin receptors for obesity treatment suddenly hot once again?

Better Drugs in a Better Market

The answer is actually rather simple. The market conditions are very different today than when Amylin backed away from its obesity research program in 2011. Plus, a range of new agents promise to deliver better clinical results than pramlintide did.

Back then, the commercial prospects for obesity treatment looked very risky. Now, GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown that the market for more effective agents to treat obesity is robust. Lilly and Novo Nordisk have become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Their success has reignited interest in combination approaches, including amylin receptor agonists, which may enhance the effects of other treatments, such as GLP-1 agonists. That is the thinking that spurred Novo Nordisk to invest heavily in developing the combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide. In addition, Novo recently released very positive results with another amylin analog – amycretin.

Keeping an Eye on Zealand

Novo does not have the only prospects for targeting amylin receptors in obesity. In fact, the Stat News Obesity Drug Tracker identifies eight drugs in development relying on this signaling pathway. Lilly has amylin analogs in early development stages, as do a number of other companies.

But perhaps one of the most interesting drug candidates in this space comes from Zealand Pharma with petrelintide. The scientists at Zealand have a long track record in amylin research and a deep conviction that this molecule can “foundational” and “best-in-class” as an alternative for GLP-1 agonists for obesity.

Yes, we will be closely watching this emerging class of drugs as a source for further advances in obesity care.

Click here, here, and here for more on the potential of amylin-based therapies for obesity.

Phoenix, painting by Katsushika Hokusai / WikiArt

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February 27, 2025