Amgen, Sanofi & Other GLP-1 Pipeline Programs (2026)

Beyond Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk — the two companies that own the approved GLP-1 market — at least a dozen other pharma companies are chasing GLP-1 share. The most-watched in 2026: Amgen's MariTide, Boehringer Ingelheim's survodutide, Altimmune's pemvidutide, Pfizer's oral GLP-1, and Sanofi's combination programs.

This is the pipeline outside the Lilly-Novo duopoly.

Amgen: MariTide (bispecific antibody-peptide)

Amgen's flagship metabolic candidate — and structurally distinct from every other major GLP-1.

• Class: Bispecific antibody-peptide construct — activates the GLP-1 receptor while inhibiting the GIP receptor (the opposite of tirzepatide)
• Form: Subcutaneous injection
• Dose schedule under study: Monthly, every other month, even quarterly
• Phase 2 weight loss (52 weeks): Up to ~20% body weight
• Status: Six Phase 3 trials initiated as of 2025; more planned through 2026
• What sets it apart: Long dosing intervals. Amgen is positioning MariTide for monthly or quarterly maintenance dosing — far less frequent than weekly injectables.

Amgen has argued that the convenience of less frequent dosing won't necessarily mean less weight loss, citing data showing many patients maintain weight on lower doses and quarterly dosing.

This is a meaningful angle: a quarterly injection could fundamentally change adherence patterns. The question is whether the Phase 3 data holds up.

Boehringer Ingelheim: Survodutide (with Zealand Pharma)

• Class: Dual GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
• Form: Weekly subcutaneous injection
• Phase 2 weight loss: ~19% body weight at top dose
• Status: Phase 3 trials for obesity and MASH (metabolic-associated steatohepatitis)
• What sets it apart: Strong MASH endpoint data; targets both weight loss and liver disease

Survodutide is similar in mechanism to retatrutide but without the GIP arm — dual rather than triple. Approval window: 2027–2028 if trials read out as expected.

Altimmune: Pemvidutide

• Class: Dual GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
• Form: Weekly subcutaneous injection
• Status: Phase 2/3 for obesity and MASH
• What sets it apart: Pursuing both weight loss and liver disease indications

A second dual GLP-1 / glucagon agonist in the same window as survodutide. The class will likely have two competitors at approval.

Pfizer: Danuglipron

• Class: Single GLP-1 receptor agonist (small molecule, oral)
• Form: Oral pill
• Status: Development ongoing (Pfizer paused twice-daily formulation in 2023 and shifted to a once-daily extended-release version)

Pfizer's effort to enter the oral GLP-1 space competing with Foundayo and oral Wegovy. Development has been bumpy. Status remains uncertain in 2026.

Sanofi

Sanofi's relevant GLP-1 entry is Adlyxin (lixisenatide) — an older single-receptor daily injection approved in 2016 for T2D, with limited market share.

Sanofi has not had a successful weight-management GLP-1 launch and is behind both Lilly and Novo on the obesity pipeline. The company has focused more on combination products (Soliqua — lixisenatide + insulin glargine) than on next-generation GLP-1 candidates.

Eli Lilly / Innovent: Mazdutide (Asia-focused)

• Class: Dual GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
• Form: Weekly injection
• Status: Approved in China; not in US development
• What sets it apart: Asia-Pacific market focus

A relevant entry for international audiences. Not a US-market drug.

Novo Nordisk's pipeline (covered separately)

For completeness — Novo Nordisk's pipeline includes:

• CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) — Phase 3
• Amycretin — single-molecule dual GLP-1 / amylin agonist — earlier-stage

See Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 lineup.

Eli Lilly's pipeline (covered separately)

For completeness — Lilly's pipeline:

• Retatrutide — triple GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon — Phase 3

See Retatrutide pillar and Eli Lilly's GLP-1 lineup.

Pipeline at a glance

What's likely to change in 2027

The most credible near-term approvals:

• Retatrutide: Late 2027 to early 2028 if TRIUMPH Phase 3 reads out on schedule
• MariTide: First Phase 3 data expected 2026-2027; potential 2028 approval window
• Survodutide / Pemvidutide: Phase 3 read-outs through 2026-2027; potential 2028 approvals

The duopoly (Lilly + Novo) will likely become a 3-4 player market by 2028 in obesity.

FAQ

Is Amgen making a GLP-1? Yes — MariTide is Amgen's flagship GLP-1 program. It's a unique bispecific antibody-peptide that activates GLP-1 and antagonizes GIP.

What is the difference between MariTide and Mounjaro? Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a peptide dual agonist (GLP-1 + GIP). MariTide is an antibody-peptide that activates GLP-1 but antagonizes GIP. Opposite GIP direction.

Does Sanofi have a major GLP-1? Sanofi makes Adlyxin (lixisenatide), an older single-receptor GLP-1 for T2D. They don't have a leading weight-management entry.

Is Pfizer's GLP-1 close to approval? Pfizer's oral GLP-1 program has had setbacks. Status uncertain in 2026.

Which company will be the next major GLP-1 player after Lilly and Novo? Most likely Amgen (MariTide) or Boehringer Ingelheim (Survodutide), depending on which Phase 3 reads out strongest.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Pipeline drug status changes frequently. None of these candidates is yet FDA-approved.