Amycretin (Zenagamtide)

Amycretin (Zenagamtide): Investigational GLP-1 and Amylin Medicine

Amycretin, now also known by the development name zenagamtide, is an investigational medicine being developed by Novo Nordisk for potential treatment of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Zenagamtide is a unimolecular peptide agonist of the GLP-1 and amylin receptors. It is being investigated in both injectable and oral formulations. Novo Nordisk has advanced zenagamtide into Phase 3 development following positive Phase 2 results.

Important UK status: Amycretin/zenagamtide is not currently an authorised medicine for routine prescribing in the UK. It remains under clinical development, so it should not be marketed or presented as an approved weight-loss or diabetes medicine.

What Is Amycretin?

Amycretin is the earlier development name for zenagamtide, a long-acting investigational medicine designed to activate both GLP-1 and amylin receptors.

Unlike a conventional GLP-1 receptor agonist that primarily targets the GLP-1 pathway, zenagamtide is designed to combine GLP-1 and amylin activity in a single molecule.

Novo Nordisk is investigating both once-weekly subcutaneous and once-daily oral formulations.

How Does Amycretin Work?

Zenagamtide is designed to activate two metabolic pathways:

• GLP-1 receptors: involved in appetite regulation, food intake and glucose metabolism.
• Amylin receptors: involved in appetite, satiety and regulation of food intake.

The combination of these pathways is being investigated to determine whether dual GLP-1 and amylin activity can provide meaningful effects on body weight and blood glucose control.

Amycretin and Weight Management Research

Novo Nordisk is developing zenagamtide for adults with overweight or obesity. The company’s Phase 3 obesity programme, known as AMAZE, began in 2026 and is evaluating both injectable and oral formulations across several studies.

The research programme is examining weight loss as well as potential effects on obesity-related conditions. Studies include investigations involving obesity, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea and other metabolic complications.

Because zenagamtide remains investigational, clinical-trial results should not be interpreted as guaranteed results for individual patients.

Amycretin and Type 2 Diabetes

Zenagamtide is also being developed for adults with type 2 diabetes. In a Phase 2 study, Novo Nordisk reported significant reductions in HbA1c and body weight compared with placebo.

At the highest subcutaneous dose investigated, 40 mg, participants experienced weight loss of up to 14.6% at week 36. Up to 89.1% of participants achieved an HbA1c below 7% in the study.

These are study findings and should not be interpreted as an approved treatment recommendation or a prediction of an individual’s response.

Amycretin Clinical Development

Amycretin has progressed from early clinical research into Phase 3 development.

In January 2025, Novo Nordisk reported Phase 1b/2a results from a study in 125 people with overweight or obesity. The study evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and proof-of-concept for once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin.

In November 2025, Phase 2 results in adults with type 2 diabetes showed significant reductions in body weight and HbA1c. Based on those results, Novo Nordisk planned a Phase 3 development programme.

By 2026, the programme had advanced further, with the obesity Phase 3 programme underway and a Phase 3 diabetes programme planned to begin during the second half of 2026.

Is Amycretin Approved in the UK?

No. Amycretin/zenagamtide is not currently authorised for routine prescribing in the UK.

The medicine remains under clinical investigation. The MHRA’s published marketing-authorisation information should be checked for any future UK approval.

Until regulatory approval is granted, amycretin should not be presented as an ordinary prescription product or offered for routine purchase.

For current UK regulatory information, visit the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Can Amycretin Be Bought Online?

Amycretin should not be treated as an authorised online medicine. Products advertised online as “amycretin” or “zenagamtide” outside legitimate clinical research may not contain the claimed ingredient, strength or formulation.

Consumers should be particularly cautious about products described as research chemicals, peptides or injectable weight-loss medicines.

Do not use an unverified product claiming to contain amycretin. Its quality, identity, sterility and strength may not have been independently established.

Amycretin vs Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used in authorised medicines such as Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Amycretin/zenagamtide is different because it is designed to activate both GLP-1 and amylin receptors within a single molecule.

The fact that both medicines involve GLP-1 activity does not mean they are interchangeable.

Amycretin vs Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an authorised medicine in the UK for specific indications. Tirzepatide activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Amycretin is investigational and targets GLP-1 and amylin receptors. The two medicines therefore have different pharmacological profiles.

Amycretin Safety and Side Effects

Because zenagamtide remains investigational, its final long-term safety profile and prescribing information have not yet been established.

In Phase 2 research involving adults with type 2 diabetes, Novo Nordisk reported that the most common adverse events were gastrointestinal and that the majority were mild to moderate.

Clinical development continues to evaluate safety, tolerability, dosing and longer-term outcomes.

Injectable and Oral Amycretin

Novo Nordisk is investigating both subcutaneous and oral versions of zenagamtide.

The injectable formulation has been studied as a once-weekly treatment, while oral zenagamtide is being investigated as a once-daily treatment.

These investigational formulations should not be confused with an approved tablet or injection available through routine UK prescribing.

Important Information About Amycretin

• Amycretin is also known as zenagamtide.
• It is an investigational GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist.
• It is being developed by Novo Nordisk.
• Both injectable and oral formulations are being investigated.
• Phase 3 development is underway.
• It is being studied for obesity, overweight and type 2 diabetes.
• It is not currently authorised for routine UK prescribing.
• Unverified products marketed as amycretin should not be used.
• Clinical-trial results do not guarantee individual treatment outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is amycretin?

Amycretin is an investigational medicine developed by Novo Nordisk. Its current development name is zenagamtide, and it activates GLP-1 and amylin receptors.

Is amycretin the same as zenagamtide?

Yes. Zenagamtide is the current development name for the medicine previously referred to as amycretin.

Is amycretin approved in the UK?

No. Amycretin/zenagamtide remains under clinical development and is not currently authorised for routine prescribing in the UK.

Is amycretin a GLP-1 medicine?

Zenagamtide activates the GLP-1 receptor as well as amylin receptors. It is therefore being investigated as a combined GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist.

Is amycretin the same as Ozempic?

No. Ozempic contains semaglutide, while amycretin/zenagamtide is a separate investigational molecule designed to activate GLP-1 and amylin receptors.

Is amycretin the same as Mounjaro?

No. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Amycretin/zenagamtide targets GLP-1 and amylin receptors.

Is amycretin available for weight loss?

Amycretin is being investigated for weight management, but it is not currently an authorised routine UK weight-loss treatment.

Can I buy amycretin online?

Unverified products claiming to contain amycretin or zenagamtide should not be used. The medicine remains investigational and is not an authorised routine UK prescription product.

Key Product Information

Product	Amycretin / Zenagamtide
Developer	Novo Nordisk
Drug type	Investigational GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist
Routes under investigation	Subcutaneous injection and oral administration
Research areas	Overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes
Development stage	Phase 3
UK authorisation	Not currently authorised
Routine UK availability	Not authorised

Authoritative Resources

Novo Nordisk – Zenagamtide Phase 2 results in type 2 diabetes

Novo Nordisk – Amycretin Phase 2 results

MHRA – Marketing authorisations granted in 2026

MHRA – Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Related Medicines

For information about authorised medicines, explore Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Ozempic (semaglutide), Rybelsus (semaglutide), our weight-management medicines, our diabetes medicines or our health and medicine blog.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Amycretin/zenagamtide is an investigational medicine and is not currently authorised for routine use in the UK. It should not be used outside an appropriate clinical research or future authorised prescribing setting. Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.