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Petersen, J.* ; Finan, B.* ; Johansen, V.B.I.* ; Müller, T.D. ; Clemmensen, C.*

The evolving landscape of obesity pharmacotherapy.

Nat. Rev. Drug Discov., DOI: 10.1038/s41573-026-01427-1 (2026)
DOI PMC
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease driven by complex interactions between genetic, environmental, neuroendocrine and behavioural factors. The advent of incretin-based therapies and the expansion to multi-receptor agonist peptides targeting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, and amylin receptors has transformed obesity treatment, demonstrating average weight loss of more than 20% in humans and improvements in a broad range of obesity-related comorbidities. In this Review, we trace the recent evolution of obesity pharmacotherapy from GLP1 receptor agonists to next-generation multi-receptor agonists, alongside strategies that incorporate oral formulations, weight-loss quality approaches and tissue-specific drug targeting. We outline major translational and biological challenges, identify key gaps for future research and discuss emerging approaches aimed at achieving durable and scalable obesity treatment.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Review
Keywords Amylin ; Pharmacotherapy ; Obesity ; Translational Research ; Disease ; Translational Medicine ; Human Obesity ; Agonist
ISSN (print) / ISBN 1474-1776
Journal Nature Reviews - Drug Discovery
Publisher Nature Publishing Group
Publishing Place London
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Diabetes and Obesity (IDO)