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Research Reference · Metabolic & Weight-Loss Research

Semaglutide

A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide — the reference GLP-1 molecule in weight-loss (obesity), diabetes, heart, kidney and liver research.

Last reviewed September 2026 8 peer-reviewed sources 3-minute read

At a glance

Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide developed by Novo Nordisk. It is approved as a medicine (Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight management) and has one of the deepest trial records of any metabolic peptide, including outcome trials in heart, kidney and liver disease. In research it is the standard single-receptor comparator for newer dual and triple agonists.

TypeGLP-1 receptor agonist peptide
Studied forObesity, diabetes, heart & kidney
Evidence stagePhase 3 outcome trials; approved
Human dataLarge randomized trials

What it’s studied for

Weight-loss (obesity) research

Sustained, clinically relevant weight reduction with lifestyle intervention in adults with overweight or obesity. 3

Human · phase 3

Heart outcomes

Fewer cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes 4 and in people with obesity but no diabetes. 5

Human · phase 3

Kidney disease

Lower risk of major kidney outcomes and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease. 6

Human · phase 3

Fatty liver (MASH)

Higher rates of NASH resolution in phase 2 7 and improved liver histology in phase 3. 8

Human · phase 2–3

Semaglutide

Semaglutide (10mg) · $49.99

Third-party tested · batch-matched COA · research use only

View Semaglutide Semaglutide COAsUsage guide

How it works

Semaglutide is an analogue of the natural hormone GLP-1. Its structure was modified to resist breakdown and to bind albumin in the blood more strongly, stretching its action to about a week. 1,2

GLP-1 receptor activation increases glucose-dependent insulin release and reduces appetite, which is why the molecule is studied in both diabetes and obesity. 2

Its trial record is unusually deep: weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity, 3 fewer cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes 4 and in people with obesity but no diabetes, 5 protection against kidney-disease progression in diabetic kidney disease, 6 and liver outcomes in steatohepatitis. 7,8 It is the standard single-receptor comparator for dual and triple agonists such as tirzepatide and retatrutide.

Related research

TirzepatideDual GIP/GLP-1 RetatrutideTriple agonist Bioglutide (NA-931)Investigational oral agonist MOTS-cMetabolic research

Frequently asked questions

What is semaglutide?
A long-acting analogue of the hormone GLP-1, developed by Novo Nordisk and studied in diabetes, obesity, heart, kidney and liver research.
How is semaglutide different from tirzepatide and retatrutide?
Semaglutide activates only the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide adds the GIP receptor, and retatrutide adds both GIP and glucagon receptors.
Is semaglutide an approved drug?
Yes — as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management. Research-grade material sold here is for laboratory research only.
What is NN9535?
A Novo Nordisk development code for semaglutide listed in PubChem.
What is the CAS number of semaglutide?
910463-68-2. Its molecular formula is C187H291N45O59 (4114 g/mol).

Identifiers

Name Semaglutide
Development codes NN9535 · NNC 0113-0217
Class GLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide)
Molecular formula C187H291N45O59
Molecular weight 4114 g/mol
CAS number 910463-68-2
PubChem CID · UNII 56843331 · 53AXN4NNHX
Approved medicines Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
Supplied as Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder

Identifiers checked against PubChem (CID 56843331).

Research timeline

  1. 2015Discovery paper: the once-weekly GLP-1 analogue semaglutide. 1
  2. 2016SUSTAIN-6: fewer cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes. 4
  3. 2019Review of how liraglutide and semaglutide were developed. 2
  4. 2021STEP 1 weight-management trial 3; phase 2 NASH trial. 7
  5. 2023SELECT: fewer cardiovascular events in obesity without diabetes. 5
  6. 2024FLOW: kidney outcomes in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease. 6
  7. 2025Phase 3 trial in MASH with moderate or advanced fibrosis. 8

Key studies

StudyModelWhat it found
Marso 2016 4 Human · phase 3 Lower rate of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke in high-risk type 2 diabetes.
Wilding 2021 3 Human · phase 3 Sustained, clinically relevant weight reduction with lifestyle intervention.
Newsome 2021 7 Human · phase 2 More NASH resolution than placebo; no significant difference in fibrosis improvement.
Lincoff 2023 5 Human · phase 3 Fewer cardiovascular events in people with cardiovascular disease and obesity but no diabetes.
Perkovic 2024 6 Human · phase 3 Reduced major kidney outcomes and cardiovascular death in diabetic kidney disease.
Sanyal 2025 8 Human · phase 3 Improved liver histology in MASH with moderate or advanced fibrosis.

Sources

  1. Discovery of the Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue Semaglutide. Lau J, et al. J Med Chem, 2015.
  2. The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Knudsen LB, Lau J. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2019. Free full textReview
  3. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. Wilding JPH, et al. N Engl J Med, 2021. Human · phase 3
  4. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Marso SP, et al. N Engl J Med, 2016. Human · phase 3
  5. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. Lincoff AM, et al. N Engl J Med, 2023. Human · phase 3
  6. Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Perkovic V, et al. N Engl J Med, 2024. Human · phase 3
  7. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Newsome PN, et al. N Engl J Med, 2021. Human · phase 2
  8. Phase 3 Trial of Semaglutide in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis. Sanyal AJ, et al. N Engl J Med, 2025. Human · phase 3
For Research Use Only. This page summarizes published scientific research for educational purposes. It is not medical advice and does not promote, recommend, or describe any human or animal use. Products referenced are sold strictly for laboratory research and are not for human consumption.

Last reviewed September 2026 by Midwest Compounds. Every source above was checked against its original publication.