~20%Body-weight loss seen with incretin analogues in clinical trials
3-in-1Receptors now targeted by a single peptide
2026First oral macrocyclic peptides approved, from Merck and J&J
Force one
GLP-1 and incretin analogues are reshaping metabolic medicine.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural incretin hormone. Engineered analogues such as semaglutide and the dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide have delivered strong glycaemic control and weight loss once associated mainly with bariatric surgery.
How GLP-1 works
Boosts insulin
Stimulates insulin release when blood glucose is high.
Lowers glucagon
Suppresses glucagon, so the liver releases less glucose.
Slows digestion
Delays gastric emptying for a steadier glucose profile.
Reduces appetite
Acts on the brain to increase fullness and reduce intake.
What’s next
Each generation does more with one molecule.
Incretin science has moved from single to multi-receptor peptides, and several of these molecules are in our API pipeline.
Single agonistGLP-1Semaglutide
Dual agonistGIP + GLP-1Tirzepatide
Triple agonistGIP + GLP-1 + glucagonRetatrutide
Amylin combinationsAmylin + GLP-1Cagrilintide
Also moving fast
Oral peptide delivery
Monthly dosing
Cardiovascular and liver disease
Neurodegeneration
Addiction
Force two
Macrocyclic peptides open up difficult targets.
Linear peptides have dominated the market, but cyclising a peptide locks it into its active shape. That makes macrocycles one of the fastest-moving areas of drug discovery, with approved examples from cyclosporine A and octreotide to zilucoplan. In 2026 the field reached a milestone: the first oral macrocyclic peptides, from Merck and Johnson & Johnson, won FDA approval.
What cyclisation brings
Metabolic stability
Fewer free ends for proteases to attack.
Locked active shape
Higher affinity and selectivity for the target.
Better permeability
Improved passage across membranes, including for oral dosing.
Hard targets
Access to protein–protein interfaces and intracellular proteins.
Ring chemistries we make
Head-to-tail
Lactam bridge
Disulfide
Hydrocarbon stapling
Thioether / triazole
Bicyclic
New in 2026
Macrocycles go oral.
Two once-daily peptide tablets show that macrocycles can reach targets once open only to injectable antibodies.
Merck · FDA approved July 2026
Enlicitide (Lipfendra)
The first oral PCSK9 inhibitor. A macrocyclic peptide tablet that lowered LDL cholesterol by 56–59% versus placebo in Phase 3.
Johnson & Johnson · FDA approved 2026
Icotrokinra (Icotyde)
The first oral peptide that blocks the IL-23 receptor, for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Discovered with Protagonist Therapeutics.
For development partners
What this means for your peptide program.
Longer analogues and macrocycles raise the bar at every step. Here is how we meet it.