The GLP-1 landscape beyond semaglutide: dual and triple agonists in the research pipeline
A mechanism-by-mechanism view of dual and triple agonists, with attention to trial maturity and the limits of cross-compound comparison.
A changing research landscape
GLP-1 receptor agonism established a major clinical research category. Newer programmes combine activity at multiple receptors, but sharing a pathway does not make compounds interchangeable.
Dual agonist programmes
Dual agonists are designed to engage two signalling systems. Their evidence must be assessed compound by compound, with trial stage, comparator and endpoint kept explicit.
Triple agonist programmes
Triple agonists extend the same design idea to a third receptor. Several remain investigational, so early endpoints should not be presented as settled clinical outcomes.
How to read pipeline evidence
Trial registration, peer-reviewed results, attrition and regulatory status should be checked separately. Mechanistic plausibility is not evidence of a finished medicine.