Oral Semaglutide and the Next Generation of GLP-1 Drugs
Injectables built the GLP-1 category, but oral formulations and next-generation combination molecules are moving through late-stage trials and early approvals.
By the GLP Semaglutide editorial team · Last updated July 25, 2026
Rybelsus, an oral tablet form of semaglutide, has been FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes since 2019. A higher-dose oral formulation aimed at weight management has moved through regulatory review as manufacturers look to reduce reliance on injection devices.
What's moving through the pipeline
Beyond oral semaglutide, several companies are developing dual and triple agonists that target GLP-1 alongside other gut hormone receptors (such as GIP and glucagon), aiming for greater efficacy per dose. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) was the first dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist to reach market; others are in late-stage trials.
Oral small-molecule GLP-1 candidates that don't rely on peptide delivery technology are also in development, which could eventually simplify manufacturing and reduce cost pressure across the category.
Timeline caveats
Drug development timelines shift often, and trial results don't guarantee approval. Treat specific approval-date predictions in secondary coverage — including from this site — as provisional, and check the FDA and clinicaltrials.gov for primary-source status updates.
Primary sources