Pipeline vs pipeline · checked 2026-08-07

Retatrutide vs CagriSema: two unlicensed candidates, different mechanisms, different timelines

Neither of these drugs is available anywhere yet — but they're not racing on equal footing. CagriSema has already been filed with the FDA. Retatrutide is still completing its phase 3 programme.

All comparisons

	CagriSema	Retatrutide
Maker	Novo Nordisk	Eli Lilly
Mechanism	Semaglutide (GLP-1) + cagrilintide (amylin analogue) combination	Single molecule, triple receptor agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon)
Best reported weight loss	22.7% (REDEFINE-1), 23% (REDEFINE-4) — both below Novo's own 25% target	Up to 30.3% (TRIUMPH-1)
Vs tirzepatide (Mounjaro) head-to-head	Failed to show non-inferiority to tirzepatide in REDEFINE-4	No direct head-to-head trial run yet
Regulatory status	FDA application submitted December 2025	FDA submission planned Q1 2027

Different approach to the same problem

These aren't competing versions of the same idea — they're different bets on which biology drives the best result.

CagriSema's bet

Combine an established GLP-1 (semaglutide) with an amylin analogue (cagrilintide), targeting appetite regulation through two separate hormone systems rather than one molecule doing more jobs.

Retatrutide's bet

One molecule, three receptors, including glucagon — adding a metabolic (energy-burning) mechanism on top of the appetite-suppressing GLP-1/GIP pathways.

The regulatory race, plainly stated CagriSema is ahead in the queue — already filed with the FDA as of December 2025, with a real chance of reaching the US market before retatrutide completes its own phase 3 programme. If retatrutide's remaining 2026 readouts hold up, Lilly may still end up with the stronger headline weight-loss number, but Novo Nordisk is likely to launch first. Neither is available in the UK, and neither has a confirmed UK timeline yet.

CagriSema REDEFINE resultsHCPLive coverage

CagriSema FDA filingPharmExec coverage

Retatrutide UK statusFull evidence & regulatory record