MariTide: The Monthly GLP-1 That Says ‘Nope’ to GIP | Dr. Dan | Obesity Expert
A 14-minute explainer on MariTide, a once-monthly GLP-1 candidate that blocks GIP, covering its phase 2 weight-loss data, side effects and dose escalation.
With Dr. Dan
Key moments
Tap a moment to play the video from there.
- 0:00The once-monthly pitchDr. Dan introduces MariTide as a monthly injection that could produce weight loss of up to about 20% of baseline, and says he will cover how it works and the phase 2 data.
- 2:23What MariTide isHe describes it as a once-monthly GLP-1 based drug that, unlike Zepbound, blocks GIP instead of activating it.
- 2:53GLP-1 versus GIP versus MariTideHe summarizes what GLP-1 activation does and how Zepbound added GIP, then says MariTide flips this by blocking GIP.
- 3:42What GIP does normallyHe explains GIP as a gut hormone released after meals that helps store fat, and says it behaves less helpfully in obesity or insulin resistance.
- 5:42Biased agonism versus blockadeUsing a remote control analogy, he says tirzepatide retrains GIP signaling while MariTide shuts it off, and that both approaches lead to weight loss.
- 7:06Phase 2 trial designHe describes a 52 week, placebo controlled trial of about 600 people, some with diabetes and some with obesity alone, on several MariTide doses.
- 7:35Weight, A1C and body compositionHe reports 12 to 16% weight loss without diabetes, 8 to 12% with diabetes, a drop in A1C of up to 1.6%, and 8 to 11% lean mass loss.
- 9:01Side effectsHe says the side effects were the usual GI ones, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and heartburn.
- 9:19Dose escalation and dropoutHe says dropout was about 27% on the highest starting dose and about 8% with gradual escalation, and that two deaths were unrelated to the drug.
- 10:48The long-acting downsideHe worries that side effects from a monthly dose would linger and that there is less flexibility to skip or adjust a dose.
What the video says
Dr. Dan, who presents as an obesity expert, explains MariTide, a once-monthly injectable he describes as a GLP-1 medication with a twist. He says it activates GLP-1, like Wegovy, but blocks GIP, whereas Zepbound activates it. Phase 3 trials are still ongoing, so he treats everything here as early data.
He first sets out what GLP-1 activation does, which he lists as lower appetite, slower digestion and better insulin sensitivity. He then describes GIP as a gut hormone released after meals, one that helps store fat and in obesity may become less useful for blood sugar control and may raise hunger. To explain why both activating and blocking GIP can lead to weight loss, he uses a remote control analogy. Tirzepatide, he says, pushes only the helpful buttons (biased agonism), while MariTide removes the batteries. He stresses that the exact mechanisms are not fully worked out.
He then walks through a phase 2, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial of about 600 people, with and without diabetes, lasting 52 weeks. According to Dr. Dan, people without diabetes lost about 12 to 16% of baseline weight and people with diabetes about 8 to 12%. He also cites an A1C drop of up to 1.6%, about 37% less fat mass, and 8 to 11% lean mass loss, which he contrasts with about 25% lean mass loss in the SURMOUNT-1 tirzepatide trial. Side effects were the familiar GI ones: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and heartburn. He reports about 27% dropout when people started on the highest dose and about 8% with dose escalation, and says two deaths in the study were unrelated to the drug.
His main caution is that a monthly injection leaves little room to adjust if side effects appear, so he calls for supervision and slow titration. He suggests it may suit people who struggle with adherence, dislike needles or have more severe obesity. The video also includes sponsor and self-promotion segments, including travel coolers for pens and a free GLP-1 handout.
On each compound
MariTide2:23
Dr. Dan describes MariTide as a once-monthly drug that activates GLP-1 and blocks GIP. He reports phase 2 results of 12 to 16% weight loss without diabetes and 8 to 12% with diabetes over 52 weeks, and says phase 3 trials are ongoing.
See how your DNA reads MariTideTirzepatide5:42
Dr. Dan says tirzepatide activates GIP through biased agonism, pushing only the helpful signals. He also cites about 25% lean mass loss in the SURMOUNT-1 trial as a comparison point for MariTide.
See how your DNA reads TirzepatideSemaglutide2:53
Dr. Dan refers to Ozempic and Wegovy as GLP-1 activators that reduce appetite, slow digestion and improve insulin sensitivity. He says MariTide is giving Wegovy the side eye with one quarter of the injections.
See how your DNA reads SemaglutideWhat this video doesn’t settle
- The video relies on one phase 2 trial and does not establish how MariTide will perform in the larger phase 3 trials.
- Dr. Dan says the exact mechanisms of GIP activation versus GIP blockade are not fully understood.
- The comparison of lean mass loss with a separate tirzepatide trial is not a head to head study, and the video does not address differences between the trials.
Questions this video answers
How is MariTide different from Zepbound?
Dr. Dan says both act on GLP-1, but Zepbound activates GIP while MariTide blocks it. He describes tirzepatide as retraining GIP signaling and MariTide as switching it off, and says both lead to weight loss.
How much weight did people lose on MariTide in the phase 2 trial?
According to Dr. Dan, people without diabetes lost about 12 to 16% of baseline weight and people with diabetes about 8 to 12% over 52 weeks. He also cites an A1C drop of up to 1.6% and about 37% less fat mass.
What side effects of MariTide does Dr. Dan mention?
He lists nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and heartburn, and calls them typical for this drug class. He says about 27% dropped out when starting at the highest dose versus about 8% with dose escalation.
Why does Dr. Dan worry about a once-monthly GLP-1?
He says that if side effects occur, the drug stays in the body for a long time and you cannot skip next week's dose as you could with a weekly injection. He therefore stresses supervision and monitoring, especially when doses change.
Is MariTide available yet?
Dr. Dan says it is not. Only phase 2 data exist, and he describes phase 3 trials as ongoing and needed before it can reach the market.
Video by Dr. Dan | Obesity Expert on YouTube, embedded as published. The summary is written by PeptidesDNA from the video; every claim in it is the speaker’s. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the creator. Not medical advice.
