Retatrutide

GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon tri-agonist · 39-residue peptide

Identifier graph

Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.

Wikidata
Q120468350
ChEMBL
CHEMBL5095485

What is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide (research code LY3437943) is an Eli Lilly– developed 39-residue peptide that simultaneously activates three metabolic receptors: the GLP-1 receptor, the GIP receptor, and the glucagon receptor. The triple-agonist design is intended to combine the insulin-secreting and appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1/GIP activation (as seen with Tirzepatide) with the energy-expenditure- increasing effects of glucagon-receptor activation.

Retatrutide is currently in late-stage clinical development (phase III, TRIUMPH programme) for obesity and type-2 diabetes, with published phase II data showing greater weight reduction than any previously-reported incretin agonist. It is not yet an MHRA-licensed product.

CAS 2381089-83-2, molecular weight 4731.36 g/mol. Wikidata QID Q120468350, ChEMBL ID CHEMBL5095485.

Mechanism of action

Retatrutide activates three receptors with carefully-tuned relative potencies designed to balance the metabolic outputs. GLP-1 and GIP receptor activation drive glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression at α-cells, slowed gastric emptying and central appetite modulation — mechanistically similar to Tirzepatide.

The added glucagon-receptor activation provides a complementary energy-expenditure component: glucagon receptor agonism in hepatic and brown-adipose tissue increases basal metabolic rate. This third agonism is the principal mechanistic distinction from Tirzepatide and is thought to explain Retatrutide's superior weight-reduction endpoint in phase II.

Research context

The most-discussed incretin-pathway compound in 2024–2026. Used as a research reference standard in head-to-head comparisons against single-agonist (Semaglutide) and dual-agonist (Tirzepatide) compounds, and in receptor- selectivity studies that probe the relative contributions of each of the three target receptors.

Analytical specifications

Every batch of Retatrutide supplied by NMChem is characterised by reversed-phase HPLC for purity determination and by mass spectrometry for identity confirmation. Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents are issued per batch and made available on request.

Identity is confirmed by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the observed mass falls within ±2 Da of the theoretical monoisotopic mass calculated from the residue sequence. Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column with a trifluoroacetic-acid-modified water/acetonitrile gradient and reported as the area-under-curve percentage of the main peak at 214 nm. NMChem specification is ≥99% main peak. Material ships as lyophilised powder and must be reconstituted in sterile water or bacteriostatic water immediately before use.

Browse the COA database

UK regulatory status

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.

  1. Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity - A Phase 2 Trial. Jastreboff AM et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2023
    PubMed PMID 37366315
  2. Retatrutide-A Game Changer in Obesity Pharmacotherapy. Katsi V et al. · Biomolecules · 2025
    PubMed PMID 40563436
  3. The power of three: Retatrutide's role in modern obesity and diabetes therapy. Abdul-Rahman T et al. · European journal of pharmacology · 2024
    PubMed PMID 39515565

Related compounds

Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside Retatrutide.

  • Tirzepatide
    GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist · 39-residue peptide
  • Semaglutide
    GLP-1 receptor agonist · 31-residue peptide
  • Cagrilintide
    Amylin analogue · 37-residue peptide

Frequently asked questions about Retatrutide

What makes Retatrutide a 'tri-agonist'?
Retatrutide simultaneously activates three distinct metabolic receptors: GLP-1, GIP and Glucagon. Tirzepatide (by contrast) is a dual agonist (GLP-1 + GIP only), and Semaglutide is a single agonist (GLP-1 only). The glucagon-receptor activation is the unique feature, providing an energy-expenditure component that the other two compounds lack.
Is Retatrutide approved by the MHRA?
No. Retatrutide is still in clinical development (phase III, the TRIUMPH programme by Eli Lilly) and is not yet a licensed medicinal product in the UK or any other jurisdiction. NMChem supplies it as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory characterisation only.
What's the molecular weight of Retatrutide?
4731.36 g/mol. The peptide is 39 amino acids and includes a fatty-acid acyl chain for albumin binding, with a CAS Registry Number of 2381089-83-2.

Get research-grade Retatrutide from NMChem

UK supplier · HPLC and MS verified · Per-batch Certificate of Analysis · Tracked Royal Mail dispatch.

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