Novo Nordisk's investigational zenagamtide shows significant A1C reductions with up to 14.6% weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes--presented at ADA 2026

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Jun 05, 2026, 19:30 ET

A phase 2 study of investigational once-weekly subcutaneous zenagamtide showed statistically significant reductions in blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes compared to placebo, with up to 89.1% achieving A1C below 7%¹
Additionally, participants treated with zenagamtide showed body weight loss up to 14.6% at week 36 with the highest dose investigated, 40 mg¹
Zenagamtide will advance into phase 3 clinical trials in adults with type 2 diabetes based on these results

PLAINSBORO, N.J. and BAGSVÆRD, Denmark, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk today announced new clinical data from the positive phase 2 trial of investigational zenagamtide, also known as amycretin. Zenagamtide is the first of its class, being a unimolecular peptide agonist of GLP-1 and amylin receptors.¹ Presented at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association^® (ADA) in New Orleans, LA, results from the phase 2 dose finding study included the evaluation of six subcutaneous doses of zenagamtide (ranging from 0.4 mg to 40 mg) versus matched placebo in 262 adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled (A1C 7.0–10.0%) on metformin, with or without an SGLT2 inhibitor. The study met its primary endpoint of change in A1C across all doses and also key supportive secondary endpoint of change in body weight (with doses 1.5 mg and greater) with zenagamtide versus placebo after 36 weeks.¹

"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. These phase 2 results build on the growing body of evidence which demonstrates the potential of zenagamtide to meaningfully impact blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes and also body weight," said Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer and executive vice president, Research & Development at Novo Nordisk. "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."

The phase 2 study showed a dose-dependent and statistically significant change in A1C from baseline to week 36 with all doses vs placebo. From a baseline of 7.8%, the estimated mean change in A1C at week 36 was up to ‒1.71% with zenagamtide 40 mg (estimated treatment difference [ETD] vs placebo: ‒1.56% [95% confidence interval (CI): ‒2.05, ‒1.07]; p<0.0001).¹ Up to 89.1% of participants on zenagamtide achieved A1C levels below 7%, and up to 76.2% achieved levels at or below 6.5%.¹ Notably, the proportion of time spent within target range of 70–180 mg/dL (3.9–10.0 mmol/L) was above the internationally recommended target of >70% across all zenagamtide doses investigated (up to 91.5% with zenagamtide 40 mg).¹ These results suggest strong glycemic efficacy, considering that the higher zenagamtide dose treatment groups were only exposed to the maintenance dose for a short period of time (ie 20 mg for 8 weeks and 40 mg for 4 weeks).¹

As a key supportive secondary endpoint, trial participants taking zenagamtide also saw a mean body weight reduction of up to 14.6% (baseline body weight ~219 lbs) with the 40 mg dose compared with 2.1% with placebo.¹ No apparent weight loss plateau was seen at week 36 with the higher doses of zenagamtide.¹

Table. Endpoints: once-weekly subcutaneous zenagamtide vs placebo

		Once-weekly subcutaneous zenagamtide n=225						Pooled placebo n=37
		0.4 mg	1.5 mg	5 mg	10 mg	20 mg	40 mg
Primary endpoint: A1C (baseline A1C of 7.8%)	Change at wk 36, %- points	−0.91	−1.31	−1.00	−1.41	−1.64	−1.71	−0.14
Key supportive secondary endpoint: Body weight (baseline body weight = 99.2 kg (218.7 lbs)	Change at wk 36, %	−4.35	−7.62	−8.19	−12.92	−13.13	−14.60	−2.10

Participant (N=262) baseline characteristics: Male 66%; mean age 57.1 yrs; A1C 7.8%; body weight 99.2 kg (218.7 lbs); 40% on SGLT2i.

All patients on a stable dose of metformin with or without SGLT2 inhibitor.

Each endpoint was analyzed using an ANCOVA model. The analyses were based on data from the on-treatment without rescue medication observation period.

Using the dose–response model for analysis, the estimated mean change in A1C from baseline to week 36 was up to –1.8% (ETD vs placebo [95% CI]: –1.58 [–2.08, –1.08]; p<0.0001); the estimated mean change in body weight was up to –14.5% (ETD vs placebo [95% CI]: –11.81 [–15.37, –8.25]; p<0.0001), with zenagamtide 40 mg.

This trial used a fixed-dose-escalation trial design; if the planned treatment dose was not tolerated, treatment was permanently discontinued.

In the trial, the most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, and the majority were mild to moderate in severity. The safety and tolerability profile in this phase 2b trial was consistent with other incretin and amylin-based therapies. These results support further investigation of zenagamtide in phase 3 trials.¹

Based on the results, Novo Nordisk is planning to initiate a phase 3 development program with zenagamtide for adults with type 2 diabetes in H2 2026.

About zenagamtide
Zenagamtide, also known as amycretin, is a unimolecular peptide agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and amylin receptors under clinical trial development by Novo Nordisk with separate programs to investigate treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes and for adults with overweight or obesity. Zenagamtide is under investigation for oral and subcutaneous administration.

About the phase 2 zenagamtide trial
This trial was a 36-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding, phase 2 trial which assessed the dose-response relationship and the effect on glycemic control and body weight of once-weekly subcutaneous zenagamtide vs placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in A1C from baseline to week 36. Key supportive secondary endpoints included changes from baseline to week 36 in: time in range; body weight; systolic blood pressure; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; lipids; and the number of adverse events (AEs) from baseline to end of trial (week 40).

About type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose) for energy.² According to 2023 CDC data, in the United States, 40.1 million people have diabetes, with type 2 diabetes representing 90% to 95%, or an estimated 36 – 38 million people living with type 2 diabetes, making it the most common form of the disease.^2,3

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company with a heritage of more than 100 years in diabetes care. Building on this foundation, our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases — from diabetes and obesity to rare blood and endocrine disorders — by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. We are committed to long-term, responsible business practices that deliver financial, social, and environmental value. Headquartered in Denmark and operating in around 80 countries, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 67,900 people and markets products in roughly 170 countries. In the United States, Novo Nordisk has a 40-year presence, is headquartered in New Jersey, and employs approximately 10,000 people across more than 10 manufacturing, R&D, and corporate locations in seven states plus Washington, D.C. For more information, visit novonordisk.com and novonordisk-us.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Contacts for further information
Media:
Liz Skrbkova (US) +1 609 917 0632 [email protected]	Ambre James-Brown (Global) +45 3079 9289 [email protected]

Investors:
Frederik Taylor Pitter (US) +1 609 613 0568 [email protected]	Michael Novod (Global) +45 3075 6050 [email protected]

Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode (Global) +45 3075 5956 [email protected]	Sina Meyer (Global) +45 3079 6656 [email protected]

Max Ung (Global) +45 3077 6414 [email protected]	Christoffer Sho Togo Tullin (Global) +45 3079 1471 [email protected]

Alex Bruce (Global) +45 3444 2613 [email protected]	Mads Berner Bruun (Global) +45 3075 2936 [email protected]

References:

Mora P, Aroda V, Asong M, et al. Zenagamtide (amycretin), a novel unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist: phase 2b results in T2D. Poster presentation at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions; 5-8 June 2026, New Orleans, LA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 Diabetes. Updated May 16, 2024. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/about-type-2-diabetes.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes statistics report. Updated March 11, 2026. Accessed May 8, 2026. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/diabetes/diabetesatlas-statsreport.html.

SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC.