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A phase 2, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 24 US centers found once-weekly mazdutide produced dose-dependent weight loss of up to 18.1 percent over 32 weeks, the first published US population data for the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist, which is approved in China but remains investigational in the United States.
Read full storyLegal status by country, sport-legality, and cited evidence for all 56 tracked peptides
A prespecified secondary analysis of the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial found semaglutide reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein by nearly 38 percent, with the change linked to lower risk of major cardiovascular events independent of weight loss. The findings were published August 18, 2026 in Circulation.
A phase 3b randomized trial conducted at 19 sites in mainland China and Taiwan found once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg produced significantly greater weight loss than placebo, using BMI thresholds defined locally for Chinese and Taiwanese populations. The results were published August 10, 2026 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
A post hoc analysis of the phase 3 SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial found that semaglutide slowed the rise of a validated 25-protein blood test that predicts 5- and 20-year dementia risk, compared with placebo. The analysis was published August 8, 2026 in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
New PubMed literature from August 2 through August 8, 2026 included four papers on kisspeptin and reproductive-axis signaling, a mediation analysis separating survodutide's liver effects from its weight-loss effects, a multi-drug review of GLP-1 receptor agonists in dialysis patients, a network meta-analysis and a cost-effectiveness review on the bone-building peptide teriparatide, and smaller items on a peptide-coated antibiotic nanoparticle, real-world radionuclide therapy outcomes, and a small case series on gut peptide drugs for constipation.
A prespecified pooled analysis of participant-level data from the SELECT, FLOW, and SOUL randomized trials, covering more than 30,000 people, found semaglutide reduced a composite of kidney failure, major kidney function loss, and kidney- or cardiovascular-related death. The analysis was published August 7, 2026 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
A population-based cohort of nearly 53,000 people with type 2 diabetes and existing atherosclerotic heart disease found fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths among tirzepatide users than among those started on sitagliptin. The study and an accompanying editorial were published August 5, 2026 in The BMJ.
GLORY-2 found once-weekly mazdutide produced substantially greater weight loss than placebo in Chinese adults with obesity, while ACHIEVE-5 found oral orforglipron added to titrated insulin glargine improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Both randomized trials, along with an editorial comparing them, were published August 4, 2026 in JAMA.
New PubMed literature from July 26 through August 1, 2026 included four mechanistic and real-world studies on the bone-building peptides teriparatide and abaloparatide, real-world and post hoc data on tirzepatide and CagriSema, an animal study on orforglipron's effect on aortic aneurysm, two papers on kisspeptin and reproductive-axis signaling, and safety or detection work touching desmopressin, BPC-157, and AOD-9604.
Two companion Phase 2 trials of subcutaneous and oral zenagamtide, the investigational GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist formerly known as amycretin, were published July 30, 2026 in The Lancet, reporting dose-dependent A1C reductions in adults with type 2 diabetes.
A 50-person, placebo-controlled trial published in The American Journal of Psychiatry missed its primary craving endpoint but found semaglutide significantly cut heavy drinking days, drinks per drinking day, and alcohol-related consequences.
TRIUMPH-2 tested the investigational triple agonist in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, while TRIUMPH-3 studied adults with severe obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Both trials met their weight-loss goals; a cardiovascular-event analysis in TRIUMPH-3 did not reach statistical significance.
A week of new PubMed literature brought dueling papers on activating versus blocking the GIP receptor for weight loss, fresh evidence on bone-building peptides, safety analyses touching retatrutide and weight-loss drugs generally, and a formal regulatory profile of orforglipron following its April 2026 approval.
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted over two days to recommend BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, semax and epitalon for the Section 503A bulk drug substances list, and voted against emideltide. The votes are advisory and non-binding, and the FDA had not announced a final decision as of publication.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration updated product warnings for every GLP-1 receptor agonist sold in the country after adverse-event reports linked the drugs to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, a rare condition that can cause permanent vision loss.
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee's two-day vote on seven nominated peptides came over the written objections of the FDA's own career scientists. The recommendations are non-binding, and none of the peptides is an FDA-approved drug.
A target trial emulation study of more than 50,000 Penn Medicine patients, published in The BMJ on July 22, 2026, found GLP-1 receptor agonist users had a 37 to 68 percent higher relative risk of clinically recorded hair loss than patients on two other diabetes drug classes, though absolute risk remained low.
Results filed to ClinicalTrials.gov on July 20, 2026 show body weight reductions of up to 8.7 percent at 72 weeks in 238 Japanese adults with obesity, alongside higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects and one death in the highest-dose group.
The July 15, 2026 decision authorizes a once-daily 25 mg semaglutide tablet as the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management across the European Union, following a CHMP recommendation adopted in May.
In a 698-person trial spanning fibrosis stages F2 through compensated cirrhosis, the Novo Nordisk combination did not significantly beat placebo, though semaglutide alone showed a nominal signal, according to results published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology on July 15, 2026.
In a 40-week trial funded by Eli Lilly, all three tested doses of the oral GLP-1 pill met the study's non-inferiority bar against a standard SGLT2 inhibitor and produced larger average HbA1c reductions, alongside more gastrointestinal side effects and discontinuations.
A phase 3 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the approved MC4R agonist lowered BMI by 16.5% over 52 weeks in patients with obesity caused by hypothalamic tumors or injury, versus a 3.3% increase on placebo.
A systematic review of 262 trials and nearly 100,000 patients puts tirzepatide, semaglutide, CagriSema, orforglipron, and other peptide-based therapies side by side, and finds that larger weight loss usually comes with larger trade-offs.
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee is scheduled to review seven peptides for the Section 503A bulk drug substances list on July 23-24, part of a broader reconsideration of substances the agency flagged in 2023.
Career reviewers at the agency posted documents finding little human evidence for BPC-157, TB-500 and five other peptides, setting up a clash with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has pushed to widen access before the July 23-24 advisory meeting.
A single investigational molecule engages three metabolic hormone receptors at once. Here is what the New England Journal of Medicine data actually showed, and what it does not.
A TGA decision added the experimental peptide BPC-157 to Schedule 4 of the Poisons Standard effective June 1, 2024, amid warnings about a growing market for unapproved peptide products.
A landmark outcomes study asked whether a GLP-1 peptide prevents heart attacks and strokes, not just weight. The 17,604-person answer reshaped how the class is viewed.
The company submitted a New Drug Application on December 18, 2025 for the once-weekly injection combining semaglutide and the amylin analogue cagrilintide for chronic weight management.
The pivotal obesity trial for tirzepatide reset expectations for what a single injectable peptide could achieve. A look at the actual numbers, endpoints, and caveats.
The August 15, 2025 decision made semaglutide 2.4 mg the first GLP-1 receptor agonist cleared to treat noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.
Topline results from TRIUMPH-1, the first pivotal trial of the investigational triple-hormone agonist, showed average weight reductions of roughly 19% to 28% across three doses over 80 weeks.
Data aggregated from primary regulatory and trial sources
Registered interventional trials across GLP-1, tissue repair, anti-aging, and metabolic peptide categories.
FDA, EMA, TGA, and Health Canada regulatory status for peptide therapeutics and research compounds.
Aggregated adverse event reports associated with peptide compounds from the FDA FAERS pharmacovigilance database.
Study limitations: A secondary-prevention population (older adults with established cardiovascular disease, predominantly male and white); the results do not establish benefit in people without established heart disease. Not medical advice.
Body Protection Compound 157 · PL 14736 · PL-10 · Bepecin · pentadecapeptide BPC 157
Synthetic stable gastric pentadecapeptide (15-amino-acid partial sequence derived from a protein in human gastric juice)
In animal and cell models BPC-157 is reported to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair, interact with the nitric oxide (NO) system, exert antioxidant activity, and up-regulate growth-hormone-receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts. Its molecular targets and mechanism in humans remain poorly characterised, as almost all mechanistic work is preclinical.
LY3437943
Triple agonist of the GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors (investigational incretin/metabolic peptide)
In plain terms, retatrutide mimics several natural gut and pancreatic hormones at once to reduce appetite and food intake while affecting how the body handles glucose and energy. Technically, it is a synthetic peptide that simultaneously agonizes the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, and the glucagon receptor. GLP-1 and GIP activity promote satiety and glucose-dependent insulin secretion, while glucagon-receptor agonism is thought to increase energy expenditure and lipid metabolism, a combination proposed to drive greater weight loss than single- or dual-incretin agents.
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
In plain terms, semaglutide copies a natural gut hormone that signals fullness and helps control blood sugar. Technically, it is a GLP-1 analogue with high homology to human GLP-1 that agonizes the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and acting on appetite-regulating centers to reduce energy intake. Structural modifications extend its half-life to allow once-weekly (injectable) dosing.
LY3298176 · Mounjaro · Zepbound
Dual agonist of the GIP and GLP-1 receptors (incretin-based metabolic peptide)
In plain terms, tirzepatide imitates two natural gut hormones that lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. Technically, it is a single peptide that agonizes both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. This dual incretin action enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces food intake, producing improvements in glycemic control and body weight.
Thymosin beta-4 fragment · Tbeta4 fragment · TB4 fragment · LKKTETQ peptide
Synthetic peptide fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4; note it is NOT the same molecule as full-length recombinant thymosin beta-4
The LKKTETQ sequence binds and sequesters actin, influencing cell migration, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, with reported anti-inflammatory effects and stem/progenitor cell recruitment. Nearly all data derive from full-length thymosin beta-4 or animal models; the mechanism and pharmacology of the TB-500 fragment in humans are not well characterised.
CJC-1295 DAC · DAC:GRF · Modified GRF (1-29) (short-acting no-DAC variant)
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog
In plain terms it tells the pituitary gland to release more of the body's own growth hormone. Technically, it binds the GHRH receptor (a Gs-coupled G-protein-coupled receptor) on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs, raising intracellular cAMP and activating protein kinase A to stimulate both synthesis and pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone, which secondarily raises IGF-1. Four amino-acid substitutions (D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27) resist enzymatic degradation, and in the DAC version a lysine-linked maleimidopropionamide moiety forms a covalent bond with cysteine-34 of albumin, extending the half-life from minutes to about a week (Teichman et al., 2006).
Epitalon · Epithalone · AEDG peptide · Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly · Epithalamin analog
Synthetic pineal tetrapeptide bioregulator (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly / AEDG); studied as a telomerase-related peptide
In cell culture, epithalon has been reported to induce expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) and to elongate telomeres in telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblasts (Khavinson et al., 2003), with a 2025 independent cell-line study describing telomere lengthening via telomerase upregulation and/or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Proposed additional actions include modulation of pineal melatonin secretion and gene expression. These mechanisms derive largely from in-vitro and preclinical work and remain incompletely verified in humans.
Copper Tripeptide-1 · GHK-copper · glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-copper · Cu-GHK · prezatide copper acetate
Copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with Cu2+); endogenous matrikine; cosmetic ingredient name Copper Tripeptide-1
GHK-Cu signals dermal fibroblasts to increase collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates matrix metalloproteinases, and in gene-array studies shifts expression of a large fraction of human genes (reported ~30-60%) toward a regenerative profile; it also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and copper-delivery roles. Mechanism is comparatively well studied in vitro and in skin models, though clinical efficacy evidence remains modest.
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