Short answer: CagriSema is two molecules in one weekly injection — cagrilintide 2.4 mg, a long-acting amylin analogue, plus semaglutide 2.4 mg, the GLP-1 agonist behind Wegovy. Novo Nordisk pairs them because amylin and GLP-1 suppress appetite through different circuits, so the effects stack. Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 reported ~22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks — impressive, but below Novo’s own ~25% target. An FDA filing is in; no marketing authorisation exists anywhere as of mid-2026. Both components are catalogued by New-U as research references. Part of our next obesity-research wave overview.
Plain-English summary. CagriSema (the fixed-dose product) is unapproved and investigational. The components, cagrilintide and semaglutide, are well-characterised research-reference peptides New-U catalogues for laboratory use — research use only, not for human consumption. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice; do not use unapproved compounds on people.
CagriSema is not a new molecule — it is a fixed-dose combination of two existing ones in a single weekly subcutaneous shot:
The logic is mechanistic complementarity, covered next.
GLP-1 and amylin both reduce appetite, but they do it through distinct circuits, which is exactly why combining them works:
Because the two pathways are largely non-overlapping, REDEFINE 1 showed the combination beating either component on its own. For the amylin mechanism in isolation, see our guide to the pure amylin analogue petrelintide.
REDEFINE 1 was a 68-week trial in ~3,417 adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity (mean baseline weight 106.9 kg). Headline results:
| Metric | CagriSema | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Mean weight loss (efficacy estimand) | ~−22.7% | ~−2.3% |
| Mean weight loss (treatment-policy estimand) | ~−20.4% | ~−3.0% |
| Participants reaching ≥25% weight loss | 40.4% | 0.9% |
| Participants reaching ≥5% weight loss | 91.9% | 31.5% |
For context, in the same comparison cagrilintide alone and semaglutide alone produced far fewer ≥25% responders (~6% and ~16% respectively), illustrating the additive effect. In the diabetes companion trial REDEFINE 2, CagriSema delivered a superior HbA1c reduction of ~1.91%.
The 25% story. Novo Nordisk had guided the market toward roughly 25% mean weight loss. Landing at ~22.7% was a clinically strong result that nonetheless missed expectations — a reminder that in this field the bar is now set by the previous best, not by placebo. Novo subsequently filed for FDA approval.
| Compound | Mechanism | Best documented mean weight loss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CagriSema | Amylin + GLP-1 | ~22.7% / 68 wks | NDA filed |
| Semaglutide | GLP-1 | ~14.9% / 68 wks (STEP-1) | Approved |
| Tirzepatide | GLP-1 + GIP | ~20.9% / 72 wks (SURMOUNT-1) | Approved |
| Retatrutide | GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon | ~24.2% / 48 wks (Phase 2) | Phase 3, no approval |
Unusually for this pipeline, both CagriSema components are established, verifiable research-reference peptides that New-U catalogues:
Each ships as a sealed, lyophilised reference peptide verified to >99% HPLC purity by Janoshik and Freedom Diagnostics, with a per-batch Certificate of Analysis — research use only, not for human consumption. The fixed-dose CagriSema co-formulation itself is a proprietary Novo Nordisk product and is not a research reagent.
Full walkthrough: How to Read a Certificate of Analysis.
What is CagriSema?
Novo Nordisk’s investigational once-weekly combination of cagrilintide 2.4 mg (amylin analogue) and semaglutide 2.4 mg (GLP-1 agonist).
Is CagriSema approved?
No. An FDA filing is in progress, but as of mid-2026 there is no marketing authorisation anywhere.
How much weight loss?
~22.7% mean over 68 weeks in REDEFINE 1 — strong, but below Novo’s ~25% target.
Why combine amylin and GLP-1?
They suppress appetite through different circuits, so the effect is additive — the combination beat either component alone.
Are the components available for research?
Yes — New-U catalogues cagrilintide and semaglutide as reference peptides, research use only.
External links are provided for research reference only; New-U is not affiliated with the cited organisations and links carry no endorsement either way.
New-U Research Compounds catalogues both CagriSema components — cagrilintide and semaglutide — as sealed 10-vial packs of lyophilised reference peptide, independently verified by Janoshik and Freedom Diagnostics for >99% HPLC purity, with a per-batch Certificate of Analysis. Research use only — not for human consumption.
View cagrilintide