The Weight Loss Atlas

What changed lately in weight-loss medicines

The latest FDA decisions, trial results and coverage changes in one short list, newest first, each with why it matters and where it comes from.

Covers items dated October 7, 2026 to November 1, 2026. Each item links to its own page with the sources. Subscribe by RSS. Lilly only? Use the Eli Lilly tracker. Novo Nordisk only? Use the Novo Nordisk tracker.

The latest

  • | Trial results

    UBT251: two phase 2 papers, up to 19.7% in 24 weeks

    Two phase 2 trials of UBT251, an investigational once-weekly injection that acts on the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, were published in Cell Metabolism in October 2026. In 205 Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, average weight loss was 13.6% to 19.7% over 24 weeks, versus 2.0% on placebo. In 211 adults with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c fell by up to 2.16%, versus 1.77% on semaglutide 1 mg. Both trials were run by the developer and neither is a head-to-head test. UBT251 is not approved.

  • | Safety and regulation

    HHS names six peptides in new compounding policy

    On October 30, 2026, the Federal Register published a Department of Health and Human Services notice about a new policy for compounding peptides, and HHS made the 16-page policy document public on October 28. It names six peptides: BPC-157, Epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax and TB-500. HHS says it does not intend to take enforcement action against state-licensed pharmacies, federal facilities or licensed physicians that compound them, as long as ten conditions are met, including a prescription for the individual patient, an FDA-registered manufacturer, a certificate of analysis and adverse-event reporting. This is not an FDA approval, it does not add any peptide to the 503A bulks list, it approves no weight-loss treatment, and it is not binding. Comments are open for two weeks. Our report covers the routes HHS names for each peptide, what changes for patients and what comes next.

  • | Coverage

    Lilly: 500,000+ people on the Medicare Bridge

    On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call on October 29, 2026, Eli Lilly said more than half a million people have filled a prescription for a Lilly medicine through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge since the program began on July 1. The figure counts people, not prescriptions, and covers Lilly medicines only. Lilly also said about 75% of people entering the Bridge go on to an injectable, and that it wants the program moved into the Part D benefit, with carrier work for calendar year 2028. These are company statements, not independent data.

  • | Development update

    VK2735: phase 3 ends in 2027, extension planned

    Viking Therapeutics gave a company update on October 28, 2026 about VK2735, an investigational GIP and GLP-1 medicine.

    Why it matters. This is a company update about trial plans, not results. It does not show how well VK2735 works over 78 weeks, or whether less frequent dosing keeps weight loss in place. Those answers depend on results Viking expects in 2027 and 2028. VK2735 is not approved anywhere.

  • | Trial results

    Retatrutide vs Ozempic 2 mg in type 2 diabetes

    Eli Lilly announced top-line results from TRANSCEND-T2D-2, a phase 3 trial that compared once-weekly retatrutide with Ozempic (semaglutide) 2 mg, the...

    Why it matters. These figures come from a Lilly announcement, not a journal paper, and they count people while they stayed on treatment. Lilly paid for the trial. It was done in people with type 2 diabetes, so it does not show how retatrutide compares with semaglutide for weight loss in people without diabetes. Lilly says full results will be presented at a medical meeting and published. Retatrutide is not approved for any use.

  • | Trial results

    Retatrutide and sleep apnea: two phase 3 trials

    The New England Journal of Medicine published two placebo-controlled trials of once-weekly retatrutide in adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep...

    Why it matters. The AHI counts breathing events. The abstract does not say how many people no longer had sleep apnea afterward. Lilly paid for the trials, and retatrutide is not approved for any use. Lilly has said it plans to file with the FDA in the first quarter of 2027.

  • | Safety and regulation

    Draft peptide access policy sent for review

    On October 14, 2026, a law-firm review and a STAT report said HHS had sent a draft peptide compounding policy, called an "interim access policy," to the White House budget office for review. At that point it had not been issued and its contents were not public. It has since been issued: HHS made the policy public on October 28, and the Federal Register published a notice about it on October 30. The policy names six peptides and is not an FDA approval. This item is kept as the record of what was known on October 14.

  • | Trial results

    Petrelintide in diabetes: up to 9.2% at 28 weeks

    Zealand Pharma announced topline results on October 7, 2026 from ZUPREME-2, a phase 2b trial of petrelintide, an investigational once-weekly amylin...

    Why it matters. These are company-reported topline results, not a peer-reviewed paper, and only the best-performing group is given. It is a mid-stage trial with a short follow-up. Petrelintide is not approved anywhere, and larger phase 3 trials, now recruiting, are needed.

Earlier

Corrections to Atlas pages

  • October 26, 2026 What a year can cost: Lilly's LillyDirect page lists $449 for 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg, the same for KwikPens and single-dose vials, when the prescription is refilled within 45 days.
  • October 23, 2026 Paying for GLP-1 medicines: CMS extended the Bridge through December 31, 2027 and said the Part D part of BALANCE will not start in 2027.

All corrections and how the Atlas uses AI

Not medical advice. These items describe what was announced or published. They do not say whether a medicine is right for you. A licensed clinician who knows your history does.