One Day MD | Evidence-Based Wellness

Updated October 1, 2026 Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) was once overshadowed by GLP-1, but it has become one of the most important targets in modern metabolic medicine. The development of tirzepatide , a dual GIP receptor/GLP-1 receptor agonist, and the rapid development of retatrutide , a GIP/GLP-1/glucagon triple agonist, have moved GIP from a relatively obscure incretin hormone into a central part of obesity and diabetes drug research. At the same time, GIP biology is more complicated than the popular description of GIP as simply "the second hormone in tirzepatide." Researchers are studying both GIP receptor agonism and GIP receptor antagonism , two apparently opposite strategies that have both shown potential for improving metabolic outcomes. The mechanisms behind this paradox remain an active area of research. This GIP Academy explains what GIP is, how GIPR signaling works, how GIP differs from GLP-1, what is ...

The metabolic health landscape has undergone a tectonic shift. What began as a breakthrough era for injectable weight-loss treatments has matured into a multi-billion-dollar global industry characterized by intense corporate rivalry, structural pricing adjustments, and the commercialization of highly anticipated oral formulations. Estimates indicate that the global GLP-1 receptor agonist market has climbed to a staggering $82.0 billion in 2026, up from $66.4 billion just a year prior, en route to an anticipated $185.3 billion by 2033. Driven by an escalating global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the competitive dynamics between legacy pharmaceutical giants and disruptive clinical-stage bietechs have reached a fever pitch. For patients, healthcare providers, and forward-looking investors, navigating this ecosystem requires a granular understanding of the dominant forces. This definitive guide breaks down the top GLP-1 companies in 2026, analyzing their market positions, bloc...

It's been several years since COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna jumped to the top of the pharma industry's sales charts, displacing longtime stalwarts with unprecedented sales. But, as 2023 featured major patent expirations, the rise of weight loss drugs and other new dynamics, the year’s ranking of the top 10 drugs by global sales featured its fair share of surprises. Merck’s oncology king Keytruda rose to the top last year, adding yet another feather in its cap. With more than 30 indications across various cancer types and stages, the PD-L1 inhibitor shows no signs of stopping. With $25 billion in global sales, the drug accounted for about 40% of Merck’s total revenue last year. Keytruda's sales are expected to reach $30 billion this year. Keytruda had previously fallen right behind AbbVie's Humira, which held the title of the world’s bestselling drug for nine years in a row until Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty knocked AbbVie’s Humira off its perch in 2021. N...