If you’ve ever read a scientific paper about peptides, you’ve probably encountered two phrases: in vitro and in vivo. They appear constantly in research. A peptide might show an interesting effect in vitro, while another study reports results in vivo. But what’s the difference? And perhaps more importantly: Does something working in vitro mean it...Read More
If you’ve spent any time reading about peptides, GLP-1 compounds or emerging medicines, you’ve probably seen phrases such as: “Currently in Phase 2 trials.” “Phase 3 results are expected next year.” “The compound has successfully completed Phase 1.” But what do these phases actually mean? And does reaching Phase 3 mean that a compound has...Read More
GLP-1 has transformed metabolic research. But one of the most interesting developments in 2026 is how quickly researchers are beginning to look outside the incretin system altogether. Instead of targeting GLP-1, GIP, glucagon or amylin, scientists are investigating pathways involving muscle, mitochondria, liver metabolism, melanocortin signalling and even the body’s endocannabinoid system. One particularly interesting...Read More
The first generation of modern metabolic drugs has largely been judged by one number: total weight loss. But researchers are beginning to ask a more complicated question. What if a treatment could reduce fat while preserving — or potentially increasing — muscle mass? That idea is creating an entirely new branch of obesity research focused...Read More
For years, metabolic research has focused on one headline measurement: How much body weight can be lost? That question is beginning to change. As GLP-1 and other incretin-based medicines produce increasingly substantial reductions in body weight, researchers are paying much closer attention to what that lost weight actually consists of. Fat mass is only part...Read More
The metabolic research landscape is becoming much larger than a handful of familiar GLP-1 compounds. One emerging name is enicepatide, previously known primarily by its development code CT-388. Enicepatide is an investigational once-weekly dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist being developed by Roche following its acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics. The mechanism immediately invites comparison with...Read More
The race to develop the next generation of metabolic medicines is increasingly moving beyond injectable peptides. One of the compounds attracting growing attention is aleniglipron, previously better known by its development code GSBR-1290. Aleniglipron is an investigational once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist being developed by Structure Therapeutics. Unlike peptide-based GLP-1 receptor agonists, aleniglipron has...Read More
The next generation of metabolic research is becoming increasingly competitive. Semaglutide established GLP-1 receptor agonism as a major research and therapeutic field. Tirzepatide subsequently demonstrated the potential of targeting GIP and GLP-1 simultaneously. Now researchers are investigating whether the same dual-receptor strategy can be developed in new molecular formats — including compounds that could potentially...Read More
The next generation of metabolic research is no longer focused solely on GLP-1. Researchers are increasingly investigating whether combining GLP-1 signalling with other hormonal pathways can produce different metabolic effects. One of the most closely watched examples is zenagamtide, the investigational compound previously known as amycretin. Developed by Novo Nordisk, zenagamtide is particularly unusual because...Read More
Metabolic research is entering a new phase. For several years, much of the attention has centred on developing individual compounds capable of activating multiple metabolic pathways — moving from GLP-1 agonists to dual agonists such as tirzepatide and then triple agonists such as retatrutide. But another strategy is now attracting serious attention: combining different metabolic...Read More
