New research shows that a new weight-loss drug called MariTide might offer a powerful alternative to current weekly injections like Ozempic and Zepbound.
In a year-long study, people taking MariTide once a month lost about 20% of their body weight, making it one of the most promising new options in the fight against obesity.
MariTide, developed by the pharmaceutical company Amgen, was tested in a phase 2 clinical trial involving nearly 600 adults. Some of the participants had both obesity and type 2 diabetes, while others had obesity alone. Some were given MariTide monthly, while others received a placebo.
The results were impressive. People with obesity but no diabetes lost an average of 20% of their body weight over one year. Those with both obesity and type 2 diabetes lost about 17%. In comparison, people who received the placebo lost only about 2% or less.
These results put MariTide in the same league as other top-performing drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound.
One of the reasons MariTide stands out is that it only needs to be taken once a month, unlike most current GLP-1 drugs, which are injected weekly. MariTide includes a monoclonal antibody that allows it to stay in the body longer.
This longer-lasting effect means fewer injections and greater convenience for patients. Doctors say that cutting down on the number of injections makes it easier for people to stick to their treatment, especially for those who already take multiple medications for conditions like diabetes.
The study also found that MariTide helped lower blood sugar levels. In people with diabetes, it reduced a key blood sugar marker called A1C by up to 2.2 percentage points—comparable or even better than reductions seen with other popular GLP-1 drugs.
Besides weight loss and better blood sugar control, MariTide also improved other important health measures. Participants had better blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and reduced inflammation. However, like other weight-loss drugs, side effects included nausea and other digestive issues.
Amgen is also exploring the possibility of giving the drug every other month. So far, the weight-loss results have been similar, but the rate of side effects seems to be a bit higher with the less frequent dosing. The next step is a larger phase 3 trial that will last 72 weeks and further test how well the drug works and how safe it is.
MariTide is one of many new weight-loss treatments in development. At a recent medical conference, drugmaker Eli Lilly also presented promising results from new trials. One of its drugs, retatrutide, helped people lose 24% of their body weight. Another trial tested a pill called orforglipron, which also improved blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic, also shared data on its new drug, CagriSema—a mix of two medicines, semaglutide and cagrilintide. People without diabetes lost more than 20% of their body weight in clinical trials.
Doctors are hopeful that with so many new options, more people will find a treatment that works for them. Obesity is often misunderstood as easy to treat, but experts say it’s a complex disease that needs personalized care. Having more tools available increases the chances of helping people lose weight and improve their overall health.
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The study is published in New England Journal of Medicine.
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