Zealand Pharma Pauses Development of GLP-1/GLP-2 Dual Agonist Dapiglutide for Obesity
Zealand Pharma has announced a pause in the development of its experimental GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist, dapiglutide, which was being evaluated as a potential obesity treatment1359.
The decision was driven primarily by a 'crowded market' for obesity drugs and the company's strategic decision to prioritize other candidates in its pipeline — specifically, petrelintide (an amylin analog) and survodutide156.
Dapiglutide had recently shown promising early results, achieving mean body weight reductions of over 11% after 28 weeks in a Phase 1b trial246.
Despite positive data, Zealand chose to focus resources on assets it believes have a stronger commercial and clinical profile in the highly competitive obesity drug market59.
Zealand continues its efforts in obesity and metabolic disease research, anchoring its pipeline in other advanced candidates and ongoing partnerships567.
Sources:
1. https://firstwordpharma.com/story/6537323
2. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/18/3101731/0/en/Zealand-Pharma-announces-positive-topline-results-from-28-week-Phase-1b-trial-with-GLP-1-GLP-2-receptor-dual-agonist-dapiglutide.html
3. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/13/3186997/0/en/Zealand-Pharma-Announces-Financial-Results-for-the-First-Nine-Months-of-2025.html
4. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/zealand-pharmas-glp-1glp-2-candidate-linked-116-weight-loss-after-28-weeks
5. https://insights.citeline.com/scrip/therapeutic-category/alimentary-metabolic/zealand-pauses-dapiglutide-but-highlights-obesity-progress-JJEIMAFPGJD27FMNYLNTA4WUAQ/
6. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/zealands-glp-1-glp-2-drug-elicits-over-11-weight-loss-with-the-potential-for-more
7. https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-zealand-pharmas-q3-2025-highlights-obesity-pipeline-93CH-4355820
9. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/zealand-pharma-suspends-obesity-project-to-focus-on-programs-with-greater-potential-ce7d5fdcd080f321