Semaglutide

GLP-1 receptor agonist · 31-residue peptide

Identifier graph

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

CAS Registry Number
910463-68-2 · CAS Common Chemistry
InChIKey
DLSWIYLPEUIQAV-CCUURXOWSA-N
PubChem CID
CID 56843331
Wikidata
Q27261089
ChEMBL
CHEMBL4752331
Molecular formula
C187H291N45O59
Molecular weight
4113.58 g/mol
Peptide sequence
His-Aib-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg-NH2
IUPAC name
18-[[(1R)-4-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[[(5S)-5-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]-2-methylpropanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-6-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-[[2-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-(carboxymethylamino)-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-6-oxohexyl]amino]-2-oxoethoxy]ethoxy]ethylamino]-2-oxoethoxy]ethoxy]ethylamino]-1-carboxy-4-oxobutyl]amino]-18-oxooctadecanoic acid

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a 31-residue synthetic analogue of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), engineered for protease resistance and albumin-binding-mediated long half-life. It is the active pharmaceutical ingredient of Ozempic®, Rybelsus® and Wegovy® — MHRA-licensed prescription products for type-2 diabetes and chronic weight management.

The molecule retains the GLP-1 backbone with two structural modifications: (1) substitution of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) at position 8 to block DPP-IV cleavage and (2) attachment of a C18 fatty-acid acyl chain via a γ-glutamic-acid spacer at Lys-26, enabling reversible non-covalent albumin binding for a plasma half-life of approximately 7 days.

CAS 910463-68-2, molecular formula C₁₈₇H₂₉₁N₄₅O₅₉, molecular weight 4113.58 g/mol. Wikidata QID Q27261089, PubChem CID 56843331, ChEMBL ID CHEMBL4752331.

Mechanism of action

Semaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor — a class B G- protein-coupled receptor expressed on pancreatic β-cells, α-cells, hypothalamic appetite circuits and gastric tissue. Receptor activation triggers cAMP/PKA signalling that produces (1) glucose-dependent insulin secretion, (2) suppression of glucagon, (3) slowing of gastric emptying, and (4) reduced food intake through central appetite modulation.

The Aib² substitution renders the molecule resistant to DPP-IV-mediated N-terminal cleavage, while the C18 fatty-acid side-chain at Lys-26 enables reversible albumin binding that protects the peptide from renal clearance and extends plasma residence to ~7 days.

Research context

Among the most clinically-developed GLP-1 receptor agonists. Used as a reference standard in preclinical models of obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular outcomes (SUSTAIN-6, SELECT trials), and emerging applications in neurodegenerative research. Researchers often compare Semaglutide with the dual-agonist Tirzepatide and the tri-agonist Retatrutide in receptor-selectivity head-to-head experiments.

Analytical specifications

Every batch of Semaglutide 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.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient of MHRA-licensed prescription medicines (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®) when manufactured to pharmaceutical-grade specifications and supplied through licensed prescribers. NMChem's product is a research-grade reference standard, not a substitute for the prescription product, and must not be used for self-administration.

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.

  1. GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes - state-of-the-art. Nauck MA et al. · Molecular metabolism · 2021
    PubMed PMID 33068776
  2. The pharmacological basis for nonpeptide agonism of the GLP-1 receptor by orforglipron. Sloop KW et al. · Science translational medicine · 2024
    PubMed PMID 39693407
  3. The impact of weight loss on fat-free mass, muscle, bone and hematopoiesis health: Implications for emerging pharmacotherapies aiming at fat reduction and lean mass preservation. Stefanakis K et al. · Metabolism: clinical and experimental · 2024
    PubMed PMID 39481534

Related compounds

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

  • Tirzepatide
    GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist · 39-residue peptide
  • Retatrutide
    GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon tri-agonist · 39-residue peptide
  • Cagrilintide
    Amylin analogue · 37-residue peptide

Frequently asked questions about Semaglutide

Is Semaglutide the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
Semaglutide is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Ozempic® (type-2 diabetes), Wegovy® (weight management) and Rybelsus® (oral tablet form). NMChem supplies Semaglutide as a research-grade reference standard, not as a pharmaceutical preparation. It is not a substitute for licensed prescription medicines.
What's the half-life of Semaglutide?
Approximately 7 days. The long half-life is achieved through reversible non-covalent binding of the C18 fatty-acid side-chain (at Lys-26, via a γ-glutamic-acid spacer) to circulating human serum albumin, which protects the peptide from renal clearance.
How is Semaglutide different from Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide is a single agonist at the GLP-1 receptor. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist at both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. In head-to-head clinical comparison (SURPASS-2), Tirzepatide produced greater HbA1c and weight reductions, an observation attributed to the additive contribution of GIP receptor activation.

Get research-grade Semaglutide from NMChem

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

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