Category
Metabolic and GLP-1
This is the best-studied group in the library. Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide are approved medicines backed by trials enrolling tens of thousands of people, and several newer multi-receptor agonists have completed phase 3. Most work by mimicking gut hormones that slow gastric emptying and act on appetite centres in the brain. Fat-loss fragments such as AOD-9604 sit here too, but their human evidence is far thinner.
17 compounds, strongest evidence first
- GLP-1 receptor agonist Liraglutide Liraglutide was the first once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and the predecessor of semaglutide. Approved medicine
- GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist Mazdutide Mazdutide is a once-weekly dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, modelled on the gut hormone oxyntomodulin. Approved medicine
- Oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist Orforglipron Orforglipron is a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist that is a small molecule rather than a peptide, so it needs no injection and no fasting before dosing. Approved medicine
- GLP-1 receptor agonist Semaglutide Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction. Approved medicine
- MC4R agonist Setmelanotide Setmelanotide is a selective MC4R agonist approved for rare genetic forms of obesity in which the brain’s leptin–melanocortin pathway is broken. Approved medicine
- GHRH analog Tesamorelin Tesamorelin is a stabilized form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Approved medicine
- GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist Tirzepatide Tirzepatide activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Approved medicine
- Long-acting amylin analog Cagrilintide Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog that acts on both amylin and calcitonin receptors. Human RCTs
- GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist Retatrutide Retatrutide is an investigational triple agonist of the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. Human RCTs
- GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist Survodutide Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly dual agonist of the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors, studied for obesity and fatty liver disease. Human RCTs
- Modified growth hormone fragment AOD-9604 AOD-9604 is a 16-residue fragment from the C-terminal end of human growth hormone, developed in Australia as an anti-obesity drug. Early human data
- Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor 5-Amino-1MQ 5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule that blocks nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that is overexpressed in the fat tissue of obese animals. Animal studies
- Vascular-targeted pro-apoptotic peptide Adipotide Adipotide is an experimental peptide designed to kill the blood vessels that feed white fat. Animal studies
- AMPK activator AICAR AICAR is a nucleoside that cells convert into an AMP mimic, activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cell’s energy sensor. Animal studies
- Growth hormone fragment HGH Fragment 176-191 HGH Fragment 176-191 is the supplier name for a C-terminal growth hormone fragment that is essentially the same molecule as AOD-9604. Animal studies
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, discovered in 2015. Animal studies
- Small-molecule ERR agonist SLU-PP-332 SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic agonist of the estrogen-related receptors (ERRα, β and γ) developed at Saint Louis University. Animal studies