Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is a synthetic, long-acting acylated peptide analog of human amylin, designed for investigational research use. Chemically, it is based on the sequence of human amylin, also known as islet amyloid polypeptide, with specific structural modifications that enhance its pharmacokinetic profile. Notably, cagrilintide incorporates a fatty-diacid conjugation using eicosanedioic acid attached via a glutamic-acid-linked lysine residue. This acylation significantly prolongs its half-life, enabling once-weekly dosing in clinical development contexts. Additionally, the molecule contains an internal disulfide bridge between cysteine residues at positions 3 and 8, a critical feature that stabilizes its three-dimensional conformation and receptor interaction.

Pharmacologically, cagrilintide functions as a non-selective agonist targeting both the amylin receptor (AMYR) and the calcitonin receptor (CTR). This dual receptor activity distinguishes it within the class of amylin analog peptides and underpins its investigational utility in metabolic research. The molecular formula of cagrilintide is C194H312N54O59S2, with a molecular weight of approximately 4409.01 g/mol. It is registered under CAS number 1415456-99-3 and PubChem CID 167312356, identifiers that facilitate its traceability and characterization in research settings.

From a regulatory perspective, cagrilintide remains investigational as a standalone compound. It is also the amylin-analog component of the combination product known as CagriSema, which pairs cagrilintide with the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide. Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for once-weekly CagriSema to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 18, 2025. As of now, the FDA's decision on this application is pending, with potential outcomes expected in late 2026 or into 2027 depending on the review timeline. It is important to emphasize that neither cagrilintide alone nor the CagriSema combination has received FDA approval to date. This investigational status distinguishes cagrilintide from compounds with no regulatory filings and from those already approved for clinical use.

At Verified Peptides, we supply research-grade cagrilintide for laboratory investigations, supporting studies into its pharmacology, receptor interactions, and potential therapeutic mechanisms. Our cagrilintide product is intended exclusively for research applications and is not approved for human consumption or clinical use.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Consult a licensed physician.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting acylated amylin analog peptide designed as a non-selective agonist of both the amylin receptor (AMYR) and the calcitonin receptor (CTR). At Verified Peptides, we highlight that cagrilintide’s molecular structure is based on the human amylin sequence, modified with a fatty-diacid conjugation via a glutamic-acid-linked lysine residue and stabilized by an internal disulfide bridge between cysteine residues at positions 3 and 8. This fatty-acid conjugation extends its half-life to enable once-weekly dosing, a strategy consistent with other long-acting peptide therapeutics. The molecular formula is C194H312N54O59S2, with a molecular weight of 4409.01 g/mol (CAS: 1415456-99-3, PubChem CID: 167312356).

As an investigational compound, cagrilintide remains under clinical evaluation and is not FDA approved. It is also the amylin analog component of the combination product known as CagriSema, co-administered with semaglutide. Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for once-weekly CagriSema on December 18, 2025, with the FDA decision pending and expected in 2026 or possibly early 2027. This regulatory status situates cagrilintide beyond early-stage research compounds but still short of approved therapeutic use. At Verified Peptides, we emphasize that research-grade cagrilintide available through our channels is distinct from the pharmaceutical-grade formulation under regulatory review and is intended solely for laboratory research into its mechanism of action and pharmacology.

The pivotal clinical evidence for cagrilintide’s pharmacodynamic profile derives from the REDEFINE 1 trial, a large, randomized, controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 2025 (Garvey WT, Bluher M, Osorto Contreras CK, et al., PMID 40544433). This trial enrolled 3,417 adults with overweight or obesity, randomized across four arms: cagrilintide plus semaglutide (n=2,108), semaglutide alone (n=302), cagrilintide alone (n=302), and placebo (n=705). The trial’s headline results focused on the combination arm, which demonstrated that 60% of participants achieved at least 20% body-weight loss and 23% achieved at least 30% weight loss at week 68 compared to placebo.

Importantly, the REDEFINE 1 trial included a dedicated cagrilintide monotherapy arm studied head-to-head against both semaglutide monotherapy and the combination regimen. This design provides direct clinical evidence of cagrilintide’s own amylin receptor agonist effects independent of semaglutide’s GLP-1 receptor agonism, enabling researchers to dissect the contribution of cagrilintide alone to weight loss and metabolic changes. While the combination arm achieved the most pronounced weight loss outcomes, the cagrilintide-alone arm’s data are critical for understanding its standalone pharmacological impact.

Beyond weight loss, the REDEFINE 1 trial reported improvements in systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, lipid profiles, and glycemic control across the overall study population. Notably, 88% of participants with prediabetes reverted to normoglycemia; however, this figure was reported for the entire cohort and not broken down by treatment arm, so it cannot be specifically attributed to cagrilintide monotherapy. These broader metabolic effects underscore the multifaceted physiological actions of amylin receptor agonism combined with GLP-1 receptor activation.

At Verified Peptides, we support laboratory research into cagrilintide’s mechanisms and potential applications by supplying research-grade material suitable for in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Researchers can access the extensive clinical literature, including the REDEFINE 1 trial, through PubMed and NIH resources to inform experimental design and contextualize findings within the evolving landscape of peptide therapeutics targeting obesity and metabolic disorders.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Consult a licensed physician.

Cagrilintide represents a mechanistically distinct approach in peptide therapeutics as a long-acting, acylated amylin analog that non-selectively agonizes both amylin receptors (AMYR) and calcitonin receptors (CTR). This receptor profile differentiates it from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as semaglutide, which target a separate hormonal pathway. The complementary nature of amylin receptor agonism and GLP-1 receptor agonism underpins the rationale for coadministration strategies rather than substitution, as each pathway contributes uniquely to metabolic regulation and weight management. This distinction is a key factor in the investigational development of cagrilintide both as a monotherapy and as part of combination regimens.

The REDEFINE 1 trial is notable for including a dedicated cagrilintide monotherapy arm, which provides direct clinical evidence of the peptide’s standalone effects. This design contrasts with many combination-focused studies that omit a monotherapy comparator, thereby limiting insights into individual compound contributions. In REDEFINE 1, cagrilintide alone was directly compared against semaglutide alone and their combination, enabling a clearer understanding of its amylin-agonist activity independent of GLP-1 receptor engagement. Although the combination arm achieved the most pronounced weight-loss results, the inclusion of the cagrilintide-only arm is critical for dissecting the pharmacological contributions and potential utility of cagrilintide as a single agent in research settings.

Regarding regulatory status, cagrilintide remains investigational as a standalone compound. It is also the amylin-analog component of the combination product known as CagriSema, for which Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA on December 18, 2025. The FDA's decision on this application is pending, with potential outcomes expected as early as late 2026 under priority review or extending into 2027 under a standard timeline. This places cagrilintide and CagriSema in an advanced but not yet approved stage of clinical development, distinguishing them from compounds without NDA submissions. Researchers accessing cagrilintide through research-grade peptide channels should note that these materials are intended exclusively for laboratory investigation and are not pharmaceutical-grade or approved for human use.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Consult a licensed physician.

At Verified Peptides, we prioritize rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure that research-grade cagrilintide meets the highest standards suitable for laboratory investigation. Recognizing that cagrilintide is a synthetic, long-acting acylated amylin analog peptide with a complex structure—including a fatty-diacid conjugation and an internal disulfide bridge—our sourcing and testing procedures are designed to confirm both purity and molecular integrity. We obtain cagrilintide from specialized peptide synthesis channels dedicated to research-use materials, distinct from pharmaceutical-grade formulations currently under regulatory review.

To verify the identity and purity of cagrilintide, at Verified Peptides, we employ multiple orthogonal analytical techniques. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is utilized to quantify purity levels, ensuring that the peptide exceeds stringent thresholds typically above 95%, which is critical for reproducible experimental outcomes. Complementing this, mass spectrometry analysis confirms the molecular weight and verifies the presence of the characteristic modifications, such as the eicosanedioic acid conjugation and the disulfide linkage, consistent with the molecular formula C194H312N54O59S2 and a molecular weight of 4409.01 g/mol.

Additionally, each batch of cagrilintide is accompanied by a third-party certificate of analysis (COA), providing independent confirmation of quality metrics. This transparency supports researchers in maintaining traceability and confidence in their experimental reagents. At Verified Peptides, we emphasize that our research-grade cagrilintide is intended solely for laboratory research and is not a pharmaceutical product. It remains distinct from the investigational drug formulations, such as those studied in clinical trials or submitted for FDA review as part of combination therapies.

Through these comprehensive quality control measures, at Verified Peptides, we enable researchers to explore the pharmacological and biochemical properties of cagrilintide with reliable material that reflects the compound’s complex design and investigational status.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Consult a licensed physician.

At Verified Peptides, we emphasize proper storage and handling protocols for research-grade cagrilintide to maintain its integrity and experimental reliability. As a synthetic peptide with a fatty-diacid conjugation and an internal disulfide bridge, cagrilintide is typically supplied in lyophilized form to enhance stability during transport and storage. Upon receipt, the lyophilized powder should be stored at low temperatures, ideally in a dedicated -20°C or colder freezer, protected from moisture and light exposure to prevent degradation.

For experimental use, reconstitution of cagrilintide is generally performed using sterile, cold, and pH-appropriate solvents such as water for injection or buffered saline, depending on assay requirements. It is critical to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles after reconstitution, as this can compromise peptide structure and bioactivity. Aliquoting reconstituted solutions into single-use volumes is recommended to minimize freeze-thaw damage.

The shelf-life of lyophilized cagrilintide under optimal storage conditions can extend for several months to a year; however, stability may vary depending on specific laboratory conditions such as humidity and temperature fluctuations. Once reconstituted, the peptide should be used promptly or stored at 4°C for short-term use, typically not exceeding 24 to 48 hours, to preserve functional activity. Researchers should always verify peptide integrity via analytical methods appropriate to their protocols before use.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Consult a licensed physician.