GLP-1 agonists: an overview for research applications
Tide Front Supply Research Team · Apr 29, 2026 · 1 min read
Semaglutide, tirzepatide, and the broader GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist landscape — what distinguishes them at the molecular level.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have become some of the most-studied molecules in metabolic research. Their core appeal is potent activation of the GLP-1 receptor with extended half-lives compared to native GLP-1.
The molecular family
- Semaglutide: 31 amino acids, half-life ~7 days due to fatty-acid acylation.
- Tirzepatide: dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist; 39 residues with similar acylation strategy.
- Retatrutide: triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist under active investigation.
Why structure matters
Each modification — Aib substitutions, fatty-acid linkers, spacer residues — is engineered to extend half-life and reduce DPP-4 cleavage. Researchers studying receptor pharmacology need to account for these changes when designing assays.
Storage notes
These molecules are sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Aliquot on first reconstitution.