In the field of weight loss drug development, the recently disclosed clinical data of Amgen’s weight loss candidate drug Maridebart Cafraglutide (referred to as MariTide, formerly known as AMG 133) has drawn widespread attention in the industry and is considered a potential “Game Changer.” The reason why MariTide is seen as a game-changer in the weight loss drug market dominated by Wegovy and Zepbound is an important factor: MariTide’s molecular modality is a unique “antibody-peptide conjugate<\/u><\/a>” (also known as Peptibody).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antibody-peptide conjugates can be broadly classified under the well-known category of ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates). However, unlike small molecule drugs conjugated with antibodies, in the case of MariTide, peptides are conjugated. The molecular structure of MariTide involves coupling two GLP-1 receptor agonist peptides to an antibody against GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Peptide, also known as “incretin”), forming a three-part conjugate of antibody-peptide conjugate. In this structure, the GLP-1 receptor agonist is responsible for activating the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating insulin secretion, while the anti-GIP antibody is responsible for downregulating GIP secretion. These two forces work together to achieve controlled weight loss goals.<\/p>\n\n\n

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