Metabolic & weight

Cagrilintide

A long-acting analogue of the pancreatic hormone amylin.

About

Cagrilintide is a synthetic analogue of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells. It is studied principally in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists, on the basis that amylin and incretin signalling act through separate pathways in appetite regulation. It does not hold sanitary registration as a medicine in Mexico and is handled by individual professional consultation only.

Mechanism

The peptide is an agonist at amylin and calcitonin receptors. Amylin signalling is described in the literature as acting on the area postrema and hypothalamic nuclei to influence satiety, a pathway distinct from that of GLP-1. Structural modification including acylation extends duration of action relative to native amylin, which has a very short half-life.

What research has examined

Cagrilintide has been evaluated in clinical trials, including in combination with semaglutide.