How Long Will People Have to Wait for the New 4-in-1 Weight Loss Drug That Combines Mounjaro and Ozempic Effects?

TL;DR:
Scientists in the US are developing a new 4-in-1 weight loss drug that combines and improves upon the effects of Mounjaro and Ozempic. The treatment could lead to up to 30% weight loss, similar to bariatric surgery, but it will likely take several years before it becomes available to the public.

A Game-Changing Weight Loss Breakthrough

A new quadruple-action weight loss drug is being developed by researchers at Tufts University in Massachusetts. This treatment has been described as combining the benefits of Mounjaro and Ozempic, but with two additional hormone targets that could make it even more effective.

The drug aims to help patients achieve up to 30% weight loss, putting it on par with invasive bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Unlike surgery, however, the treatment would be delivered via injection, making it far less invasive.

How the 4-in-1 Drug Works

Current drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy target the GLP-1 receptor, which tells the body it feels full. Mounjaro goes a step further by also targeting the GIP receptor, boosting appetite control. Another drug in trials, Retatrutide, also targets glucagon, which helps burn energy and suppress appetite.

The new 4-in-1 medication adds a fourth target: peptide YY (PYY).

• GLP-1 receptor: reduces appetite
• GIP receptor: improves appetite regulation
• Glucagon receptor: increases energy burn
• Peptide YY receptor: slows digestion, reduces hunger, and may directly burn fat

Dr. Tristan Dinsmore, study lead, explained:

“Peptide YY reduces appetite and slows the stomach emptying process, but through different mechanisms than GLP-1 or GIP. It may also help directly burn fat.”

When Will the Drug Be Available?

Unfortunately, it will be years before patients can access this breakthrough treatment.

The drug has not yet entered large-scale clinical trials. According to research published in The Lancet, the average development time for a new drug from first human trials to approval is 7.3 years.

While some projects, like COVID-19 vaccines, were fast-tracked in under a year, others have taken over 18 years. Weight loss drugs typically take longer due to safety testing and regulatory approval.

That means patients may not see this 4-in-1 injection on the market until the early-to-mid 2030s.

Why This Matters

• Could offer surgery-level weight loss without surgery
• Provides a new tool for tackling obesity, which affects millions in the UK and globally
• May help people who struggle with existing treatments like Ozempic and Mounjaro

The new 4-in-1 weight loss drug could be the most powerful treatment yet, but patience is required. With development timelines stretching into several years, Mounjaro and Ozempic will remain the main options for now.