Novo Nordisk's Amycretin, Now Named Zenagamtide, Reports Phase 2 Results in Type 2 Diabetes in The Lancet

Two companion Phase 2 trials of zenagamtide, Novo Nordisk's investigational once-weekly subcutaneous and once-daily oral GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist previously known by the code name amycretin, were published online July 30, 2026 in The Lancet, reporting the first peer-reviewed dose-response data for the compound in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Both studies were 36-week, multicentre, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trials conducted at 83 hospital and clinic sites across 11 countries, registered together under ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06542874 and funded by Novo Nordisk. Participants were adults aged 18 to 75 with type 2 diabetes, an A1C of 7.0% to 10.0%, and a body mass index of 23.0 to under 50.0 kg/m2, treated with stable doses of metformin with or without an SGLT2 inhibitor.

In the subcutaneous trial, 262 participants were randomized to once-weekly zenagamtide across six dose groups (0.4, 1.5, 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg) or placebo. At week 36, from a mean baseline A1C of 7.8%, the estimated change in A1C ranged from -0.9 percentage points at the 0.4 mg dose (estimated treatment difference versus placebo of -0.77 points, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.28; p=0.0021) to -1.7 percentage points at 40 mg (estimated treatment difference of -1.56 points, 95% CI -2.05 to -1.07; p<0.0001). Twenty-one of 261 treated participants (8%) reported a serious adverse event, compared with three of 37 (8%) on placebo, and no deaths occurred.

In the oral trial, 186 participants were randomized to once-daily zenagamtide at 6 mg, 25 mg or 50 mg, or placebo. At week 36, A1C fell by an estimated treatment difference of -0.50 percentage points at 6 mg (95% CI -1.04 to -0.04; p=0.033), -0.99 points at 25 mg (95% CI -1.49 to -0.49; p=0.0001) and -1.09 points at 50 mg (95% CI -1.59 to -0.59; p<0.0001) versus placebo. Seven of 186 participants receiving zenagamtide (4%) had a serious adverse event, versus none on placebo, and no deaths occurred in this trial either. In both trials, the most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, and the study authors described the overall safety and tolerability profile as consistent with other GLP-1-based and amylin-based therapies.

The Lancet publications formalize data Novo Nordisk first disclosed for the subcutaneous trial in a June 5, 2026 announcement timed to the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Scientific Sessions, which also reported that up to 89.1% of participants on the highest subcutaneous dose achieved an A1C below 7%, and that participants lost up to 14.6% of body weight at 40 mg versus 2.1% on placebo, a secondary endpoint not part of the two Lancet efficacy analyses reported here for A1C. "Zenagamtide is the first investigational treatment for type 2 diabetes to combine GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist mechanisms of action in a single molecule," said Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer and executive vice president for research and development at Novo Nordisk, in that announcement. "These results underscore our scientific leadership and position us to continue advancing innovative treatment options that could expand the therapeutic landscape and provide patients and healthcare professionals with greater choice in managing type 2 diabetes."

Zenagamtide, formerly referenced under the code name amycretin (NNC0487-0111), remains investigational and is not approved by the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration or any other regulator for any indication. Novo Nordisk has said it intends to advance the program into Phase 3 trials; the Phase 2 results reported here describe dose-finding study outcomes in a diabetes population and do not constitute treatment or dosing guidance.