Semaglutide

A GLP-1 receptor agonist and one of the most commercially successful peptide compounds in pharmaceutical history. Ozempic and Wegovy generated over 20 billion dollars in annual revenue.

Mimics endogenous GLP-1 with a 7-day half-life via C18 fatty diacid conjugation enabling albumin binding. Activates GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, hypothalamus, brainstem and GI tract driving insulin secretion, appetite suppression, satiety and gastric emptying delay.

After eating, your gut releases GLP-1 which tells your brain you are full and your pancreas to release insulin. It lasts minutes naturally. Semaglutide mimics this signal but lasts a full week. Researchers explore effects on weight, blood sugar, the heart, kidneys and even the brain.

• HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose
• Percentage body weight reduction
• MACE cardiovascular endpoints
• Hepatic fat fraction
• Gastric emptying rate
• Satiety and appetite scoring

• Glycaemic control in T2D SUSTAIN trials
• Body weight STEP trials, up to 14.9 percent mean loss
• Cardiovascular risk LEADER trial MACE endpoints
• NAFLD and NASH
• Addiction and reward pathway modulation
• Kidney disease protection FLOW trial
• Neurodegeneration and Alzheimers Phase 3

Developed by Novo Nordisk in Denmark. Ozempic was approved by the FDA in 2017 and Wegovy in 2021. Combined peak sales exceeded 21 billion dollars in 2024.

Men and women 30-65 focused on weight loss, metabolic health, blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular protection.

• Reconstitute with sterile or bacteriostatic water.
• Inject diluent slowly down the vial wall.
• 7-day half-life, model dose accumulation carefully.
• Stable 28 days refrigerated at 2-8C.
• Do not allow reconstituted solution to exceed 8C.

• Longest half-life in the GLP-1 class, weekly dosing in all major trials.
• GI effects, nausea and vomiting, are dose-dependent in human studies.
• The most extensively published GLP-1 reference compound available.
• Frequently used as the comparator arm in incretin trials.