Semaglutide: GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Research Overview
Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist studied in large randomized trials and approved as prescription medicines for specific indications. Research-grade material is not the approved product and is supplied for laboratory work only.
Educational reference only — not medical advice. Materials are for in-vitro laboratory research only.
Semaglutide at a glance
- Compound class
- Acylated GLP-1 analog
- Receptor target
- GLP-1 receptor
- Approved scope
- Prescription products for specific labeled indications only
- Physical form
- Lyophilized powder, sealed vial
- Catalog use
- In-vitro laboratory research only
What semaglutide is
Semaglutide is a synthetic analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Amino-acid substitutions and a fatty-acid side chain protect it from enzymatic breakdown and promote albumin binding, giving it a long half-life compared with native GLP-1.
It acts at the GLP-1 receptor, a pathway studied for its roles in glucose-dependent insulin secretion, gastric emptying and appetite signaling.
Published clinical research
The SUSTAIN-6 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2016, evaluated cardiovascular outcomes with semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The STEP 1 trial, published in the same journal in 2021, evaluated once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity over 68 weeks.
These trials studied the approved pharmaceutical products in defined populations under medical supervision. Research-grade material is a different product and these findings do not apply to it.
Laboratory handling considerations
Keep lyophilized vials sealed, cold and protected from light. Equilibrate before opening, reconstitute with an appropriate solvent, aliquot, and log the lot number. Our semaglutide 10mg lot COA is published in the COA library.
Research-use-only scope
This monograph summarizes published scientific literature for educational and reference purposes only. It is not medical, veterinary, clinical, or dosing guidance, and nothing here should be read as a claim that this compound is safe, effective, or approved for use in humans or animals.
Material supplied by North Summit Labs is intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, supplement, food, cosmetic, or medical device, and it is not for human or animal consumption. Investigators are responsible for complying with their own institutional oversight, biosafety, and legal requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What is semaglutide?
A long-acting synthetic analog of GLP-1 that acts at the GLP-1 receptor. Approved prescription products exist for specific labeled indications only.
How does semaglutide differ from cagrilintide?
Semaglutide targets the GLP-1 receptor; cagrilintide is an amylin analog acting at amylin and calcitonin receptors. Published trials have studied them together.
Is there a COA for the semaglutide 10mg vial?
Yes. The independent report for lot SEMA10-20262 is published in the COA library and linked from the product page.
References
- Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1834-1844. View source
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. View source