How This Works
Cagrilintide is an acylated, long‑acting analogue of amylin—a hormone co‑secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells[2][7]. Native amylin promotes satiation, slows gastric emptying, and inhibits postprandial glucagon secretion[8][9]. By acting on central amylin receptors (particularly in the area postrema and hindbrain), cagrilintide reduces appetite and energy intake[3][10]. Lipid modifications extend its half‑life to approximately 160–195 hours, enabling once‑weekly measurement[6][11].
References
The Lancet (2021)
— Once‑weekly cagrilintide for weight management: phase 2 dose‑finding trial (Lau et al.)
Int J Mol Sci (2024)
— Amylin, another important neuroendocrine hormone for research model of diabesity
PMC (2022)
— Mediators of amylin action in metabolic control
The Lancet (2021)
— Cagrilintide phase 2 trial: 10.8% weight loss at 4.5 mg dose over 26 weeks
N Engl J Med (2025)
— REDEFINE 1: Coadministered cagrilintide and semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity
The Lancet (2021)
— Cagrilintide + semaglutide phase 1b trial: safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (Enebo et al.)
J Med Chem (2021)
— Development of cagrilintide: a long‑acting amylin analogue
Brain Res Rev (2005)
— Pancreatic amylin as a centrally acting satiating hormone
PMC (2006)
— Pancreatic signals controlling food intake: insulin, glucagon, and amylin
PMC (2016)
— Amylin‑mediated control of glycemia, energy balance, and cognition
PMC (2024)
— Clinical pharmacokinetics of semaglutide: systematic review (includes cagrilintide PK data)
N Engl J Med (2025)
— REDEFINE 2: Cagrilintide–semaglutide in adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes
CDC
— Vaccine preparation: handling reference and site guidance
CDC (PDF)
— You Call the Shots: measurement diagram and best practices
PMC (2019)
— drug delivery: pharmacologic considerations and techniques
American College of Cardiology (2025)
— REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2 journal scan summary
The Lancet (2023)
— Efficacy and safety of CagriSema in type 2 diabetes: phase 2 trial (Frias et al.)
PMC (2024)
— Efficacy and safety of cagrilintide and CagriSema: systematic review and meta‑analysis