Last reviewed · How we verify

Exenatide Once Weekly

AstraZeneca · Phase 3 active Small molecule

Exenatide Once Weekly is a GLP-1 receptor agonist Small molecule drug developed by AstraZeneca. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also known as: BYDUREON, long_acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.

Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 to stimulate insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, and slow gastric emptying in response to blood glucose levels.

Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 to stimulate insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, and slow gastric emptying in response to blood glucose levels. Used for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Likelihood of approval
61.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Big-pharma sponsor +3.0pp
    AstraZeneca is a top-20 pharma sponsor — historical approval rates run ~3pp above average due to scale, regulatory experience, and trial-design quality.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameExenatide Once Weekly
Also known asBYDUREON, long_acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist
SponsorAstraZeneca
Drug classGLP-1 receptor agonist
TargetGLP-1R
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaDiabetes
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Exenatide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion. It also inhibits glucagon secretion when blood glucose is elevated and delays gastric emptying, reducing postprandial glucose spikes. The once-weekly formulation uses extended-release microsphere technology to provide sustained drug delivery over seven days.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Exenatide Once Weekly

What is Exenatide Once Weekly?

Exenatide Once Weekly is a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug developed by AstraZeneca, indicated for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

How does Exenatide Once Weekly work?

Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 to stimulate insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, and slow gastric emptying in response to blood glucose levels.

What is Exenatide Once Weekly used for?

Exenatide Once Weekly is indicated for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Who makes Exenatide Once Weekly?

Exenatide Once Weekly is developed by AstraZeneca (see full AstraZeneca pipeline at /company/astrazeneca).

Is Exenatide Once Weekly also known as anything else?

Exenatide Once Weekly is also known as BYDUREON, long_acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.

What drug class is Exenatide Once Weekly in?

Exenatide Once Weekly belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. See all GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs at /class/glp-1-receptor-agonist.

What development phase is Exenatide Once Weekly in?

Exenatide Once Weekly is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Exenatide Once Weekly?

Common side effects of Exenatide Once Weekly include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Injection site reactions, Hypoglycemia.

What does Exenatide Once Weekly target?

Exenatide Once Weekly targets GLP-1R and is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing