Metabolic & incretin

GLP-1, GIP, glucagon and amylin pathway compounds.

• AOD-9604

  AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide based on the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was studied as an anti-obesity agent, but clinical development was discontinued.

• Cagrilintide

  Cagrilintide is an investigational long-acting acylated analogue of amylin, a pancreatic hormone involved in satiety. It has been studied alone and in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) for weight management.

• Exenatide

  Exenatide is a 39-amino-acid GLP-1 receptor agonist, a synthetic version of exendin-4 found in Gila monster saliva. It was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA, as Byetta and later Bydureon, for type 2 diabetes.

• Liraglutide

  Liraglutide is a once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with a fatty acid side chain. It is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda).

• Mazdutide

  Mazdutide is an investigational once-weekly peptide that activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, structurally related to the gut hormone oxyntomodulin. It has been studied in obesity and type 2 diabetes and is not approved in the US.

• Pramlintide

  Pramlintide is a synthetic analogue of the pancreatic hormone amylin, modified with three proline substitutions to prevent aggregation. It is FDA-approved as Symlin for use with mealtime insulin in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

• Retatrutide

  Retatrutide is an investigational once-weekly peptide that activates the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. It is not FDA-approved; Eli Lilly plans a BLA submission in Q1 2027 after phase 3 results.

• Semaglutide

  Semaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus) and chronic weight management (Wegovy).

• Survodutide

  Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly peptide that activates both the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors. Developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, it has been studied in obesity and in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and is not approved in the US.

• Tirzepatide

  Tirzepatide is a once-weekly peptide that activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound).

Comparisons in this area

• Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide vs Retatrutide

  Semaglutide, tirzepatide and retatrutide are lipidated incretin-based peptides with one, two and three receptor targets. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved; retatrutide is investigational. This page compares their mechanisms, structures, trial programs and status.

• Semaglutide vs liraglutide

  Semaglutide and liraglutide are lipidated GLP-1 receptor agonists from the same developer, both FDA-approved. This page compares their sequence modifications, albumin-binding chemistry, trial programs, regulatory status and the analytical issues shared by lipidated peptides.