Metabolic
Metabolic peptides include some of the most clinically validated compounds in peptide therapeutics. The incretin-based therapies, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists, have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
These peptides work by mimicking or enhancing the effects of naturally occurring incretin hormones, which are released by the gut in response to food intake. They improve glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress inappropriate glucagon release, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite through central nervous system pathways.
The clinical evidence base for metabolic peptides like semaglutide and tirzepatide is among the strongest in all of peptide therapeutics, with data from trials enrolling over 40,000 participants demonstrating benefits for glycemic control, weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction, and kidney protection.
| Peptide | Evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Adrenomedullin (AM, ADM) | Strong | Phase II |
| Alpha-MSH (Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone) | Strong | Phase II |
| Amylin (IAPP) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Cagrilintide (AM833) | Strong | phase-3 |
| Dulaglutide (Trulicity) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Exenatide (Byetta / Bydureon) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Exendin-4 | Strong | approved-derivative |
| Glucagon | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Human Growth Hormone (HGH, Somatotropin) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Insulin Aspart (NovoRapid / NovoLog) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Insulin Degludec (Tresiba) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Insulin Glargine (Lantus / Basaglar / Toujeo) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Insulin Lispro (Humalog) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Liraglutide (Victoza / Saxenda) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Lixisenatide (Adlyxin / Lyxumia) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Mazdutide (IBI362 / LY3305677) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Pramlintide (Symlin) | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Retatrutide | Strong | phase-3 |
| Semaglutide | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Setmelanotide | Strong | FDA Approved |
| Survodutide (BI 456906) | Strong | phase-3 |
| Tirzepatide | Strong | FDA Approved |
| C-Peptide (Connecting Peptide) | Moderate | investigated |
| Danuglipron | Moderate | discontinued |
| Orforglipron (LY3502970) | Moderate | phase-3 |
| Oxyntomodulin | Moderate | clinical |
| Pemvidutide (ALT-801) | Moderate | Phase II |
| Peptide YY | Moderate | clinical |
| Angiotensin-(1-7) | Preliminary | Phase II |
| AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug 9604) | Preliminary | Phase II |
| HGH Fragment 176-191 | Preliminary | Preclinical |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Apelin-13 | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Humanin | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| MOTS-c | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Carnosine | Insufficient | active-clinical |
| Ghrelin | Insufficient | approved-and-investigational |
| GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) | Insufficient | investigational-endogenous-hormone |
| GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide 1) | Insufficient | endogenous-hormone |
| Insulin | Insufficient | FDA Approved |
| Irisin | Insufficient | preclinical-to-early-clinical |
| Leptin | Insufficient | FDA Approved |
| Pancragen | Insufficient | preclinical-plus |