Comparison Centre
Two compounds, the same questions, no cherry-picking
Marketing compares compounds on whichever measure flatters them. This compares them on the same fields every time — including the awkward ones like how much human safety data exists. Every score here rates the evidence, not the compound: a higher number means stronger or more mature research, not that something is safer or works better.
Sharing keeps the two compounds you picked.
How to read these scores
Every number here rates the evidence, not the compound. They are editorial 0-100 strength ratings, not percentages, and not a rating out of five stars.
- Human efficacy evidence strength — Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
- Preclinical evidence strength — Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
- Human safety evidence strength — Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number. A score of 80 does not mean “80% safe”.
- Evidence level (L0-L5) — the strongest type of study behind the compound, from anecdote (L0) to large replicated human trials (L5). It is a description of the study evidence, not a quality, safety or recommendation rating.
- Confidence — how likely we think it is that this rating changes as new research lands. Low confidence means the picture is unsettled, not that the compound is bad.
None of these ratings is medical advice, a safety guarantee, or a recommendation to use anything. How we grade evidence.
Cagrilintide
A long-acting amylin analogue, now in its own Phase 3 programme as well as in combination therapy.
Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist with one of the largest clinical trial programmes in modern metabolic medicine.
How far human research has progressed
Cagrilintide
Phase 3 (RENEW) as monotherapy; also studied within a fixed-dose combinationSemaglutide
Approved, multiple completed Phase 3 programmes and cardiovascular outcome trialsClaim-specific benefit evidence
A human exposure study or trial registration does not establish that the claimed benefit occurs.
Cagrilintide
Not separately assessed; see the full profile.Semaglutide
Not separately assessed; see the full profile.Human research context
Cagrilintide
Phase 3 (RENEW) as monotherapy; also studied within a fixed-dose combinationSemaglutide
Approved, multiple completed Phase 3 programmes and cardiovascular outcome trialsHuman efficacy evidence strength
Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
Cagrilintide
Semaglutide
Preclinical (animal / lab) evidence strength
Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
Cagrilintide
Semaglutide
Human safety evidence strength
Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number.
Cagrilintide
Semaglutide
Regulatory status (legal position, not proof it works)
Cagrilintide
Check jurisdiction-specific details in the profile.
Investigational and not approved anywhere. Standalone cagrilintide has entered the RENEW Phase 3 programme. It is also one half of CagriSema, a separate fixed-dose combination with semaglutide — the combination has its own trials and its own regulatory filing, and results do not transfer between them. FDA states explicitly that cagrilintide cannot be used in compounding under US federal law, because it is not an FDA-approved drug and is not on a bulk drug substances list permitted for compounding. That is a compounding and legal-status point about US supply routes — it is not a finding about how well cagrilintide works, and not a new intrinsic-toxicity finding about the molecule.
Semaglutide
Named regulators: FDA (US), European Commission (EU)
Approval varies by product and indication: Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy have distinct authorisations. See the regulatory note for formulation-specific details.
Approved in multiple regions for type 2 diabetes and, in separate formulations, for weight management. In March 2024 the FDA approved Wegovy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, and in August 2025 granted accelerated approval for Wegovy in adults with noncirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-advanced (F2-F3) fibrosis. On 22 December 2025 the FDA approved a once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg Wegovy tablet for chronic weight management, launched in January 2026; the European Commission approved the Wegovy tablet and a 7.2 mg injection/pen in July 2026. Every approval is product- and indication-specific. On a US legal point, the Fifth Circuit upheld FDA's semaglutide shortage-list determination in an opinion revised on 1 September 2026. That reinforces the shortage delisting and the end of shortage-based routine copying of the approved products; it does not make every form of individually tailored compounding categorically unlawful, as narrow statutory exceptions can still apply. This is legal and regulatory evidence, not efficacy or safety evidence.
Common claims
Cagrilintide
- · Adds weight loss on top of GLP-1 therapy
- · Different satiety pathway, additive effect
Semaglutide
- · Substantial and sustained weight loss
- · Improved blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes
- · Reduced cardiovascular events in higher-risk groups
- · Reduces 'food noise'
How settled our evidence rating is
Cagrilintide
Semaglutide
Cancer-related questions raised by the biology
These are theoretical or monitored questions raised by how a compound works. They are not evidence that it causes cancer.
Cagrilintide
No established human cancer signal. Not a primary safety question for this compound.Semaglutide
Rodent studies showed thyroid C-cell tumours, which is why labelling carries a contraindication in people with specific thyroid cancer syndromes. That is a species-specific preclinical signal plus a precautionary label, not a demonstrated human cancer risk. Pharmacovigilance continues.What this adds up to, in plain English
Cagrilintide
Real controlled human trials exist, but questions about approval, how long benefits last, or long-term safety are still open.Semaglutide
Repeated large human trials support specific uses in the groups studied. That is strong evidence something works there — not proof it suits everyone or is free of risk.A comparison is not a recommendation