Tirzepatide

Overview

Tirzepatide is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide that activates two incretin receptors at once: the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. Its backbone is based on the native GIP sequence, modified so that it also binds the GLP-1 receptor.

A fatty diacid side chain lets the molecule bind to albumin in the blood, which slows its clearance and gives it a half-life of roughly five days in published pharmacokinetic studies.

Research areas

• Glucose regulation and insulin secretion (SURPASS clinical trial programme)
• Body-weight and appetite regulation (SURMOUNT clinical trial programme)
• Comparisons of dual versus single incretin receptor activation
• Lipid metabolism, liver fat and cardiometabolic markers

Specifications

Category

Weight loss

Compound

Synthetic peptide, dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist

Structure

39 amino acids, with a C20 fatty diacid side chain

Form

Lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder in sealed vials

Available as

5mg (10 vials) · 10mg (10 vials) · 15mg (10 vials) · 20mg (10 vials) · 30mg (10 vials) · 40mg (10 vials) · 50mg (10 vials) · 60mg (10 vials) · single vial: 20mg

Quality

Third-party tested · certificate of analysis available

Storage and handling

Unopened vials: freezer (−20 °C) for long-term storage, or refrigerator (2–8 °C) for shorter periods. Keep away from light and moisture. After reconstitution, keep refrigerated.