Tirzepatide
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (39-amino-acid acylated peptide)
Also known as LY3298176 (development code)
A single-molecule dual agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptors. Licensed as a medicine in several jurisdictions; used in research to study multi-receptor incretin pharmacology.
Technical information
Values are shown with their status. “Verified” means the value has been checked against a primary database such as PubChem.
- Classification
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (39-amino-acid acylated peptide)
- CAS number
- 2023788-19-2 Pending
- Molecular formula
- C225H348N48O68 Pending
- Molecular weight
- 4813.5 g/mol Pending
- Sequence / structure
- 39-aa GIP-based sequence with Aib substitutions and a C-20 diacid lysine-20 side chain (see data source) Pending
Some values are still being checked and should be treated as provisional until marked verified.
How this compound is tested
LC-MS intact-mass analysis and HPLC purity are the usual identity and purity methods. Researchers should confirm the reported mass is consistent with the full 39-residue acylated structure rather than a truncated or un-acylated species.
Research background
Tirzepatide was developed by Eli Lilly as a once-weekly agonist engineered on a GIP scaffold with GLP-1 receptor activity. The concept of combined GIP/GLP-1 agonism arose from preclinical observations that the two incretins have complementary and partly overlapping actions on insulin secretion, energy balance and adipose tissue.
Mechanisms investigated in published research
These are the mechanisms examined in the cited literature. Describing them is not a claim that the compound produces any effect in humans.
- Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonism, with reported imbalanced potency favouring GIP receptor activation.
- Effects on insulin secretion, glucagon, gastric emptying and central appetite pathways studied in animal and human physiology studies.
- Ongoing investigation of adipose-tissue and lipid-handling effects attributed to GIP receptor signalling.
Summary of evidence
Laboratory and animal findings are kept separate from human clinical evidence.
Preclinical findings
Development studies characterised receptor pharmacology in cell lines and effects on glucose and body weight in rodent models of obesity and diabetes.
Human clinical evidence
2 citedPhase 3 programmes for the licensed product:
- SURPASS-2 (Frías et al., 2021): tirzepatide versus semaglutide 1 mg in type 2 diabetes (n = 1879).
- SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., 2022): 72-week randomised trial in adults with obesity (n = 2539).
As with all compounds on this website, these data describe a regulated medicine in clinical settings and have no bearing on research-grade material.
Limitations and open questions
- Mechanistic contribution of GIP agonism in humans remains an active research question.
- Clinical data apply only to the pharmaceutical product.
- The peptide's size and acylation demand high-resolution analytical confirmation.
Scientific references
Publications cited on this page. Links open the publisher or PubMed record.
[1]Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al.. Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine (2021).
Human clinical Citation pendingSURPASS-2; licensed product.
[2]Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al.. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine (2022).
Human clinical Citation pendingSURMOUNT-1; licensed product.
Research use only
Tirzepatide is described here for laboratory research. It is not approved for human or veterinary use unless a regulator has said otherwise, and nothing on this page is medical advice or guidance on administration. A disclaimer does not by itself make any activity lawful. Full disclaimer.
Contact options
Talk to the Positive Peptides team about Tirzepatide
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