Fat Loss

Semaglutide is a long-acting analog of the incretin hormone GLP-1. By activating GLP-1 receptors it enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, and slows gastric emptying to reduce appetite. It is FDA approved for type 2 diabetes as Ozempic and Rybelsus and for chronic weight management as Wegovy. It is also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in certain adults with type 2 diabetes.

How it works: It activates the GLP-1 receptor, raising insulin secretion, lowering glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying to reduce appetite.

Type 2 diabetes; weight management; cardiovascular risk; appetite regulation

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Pramlintide is a synthetic analog of the pancreatic hormone amylin, approved by the FDA under the brand Symlin. It is used as an injectable adjunct to mealtime insulin in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have not reached adequate glucose control on insulin alone. It is an amylin agonist and is not a glucagon-like peptide-1 drug.

How it works: It mimics the hormone amylin, slowing gastric emptying, suppressing inappropriate glucagon secretion, and promoting satiety.

Type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes; mealtime glucose control

Exenatide is a synthetic version of exendin-4, a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. It is marketed as a twice-daily immediate-release product (Byetta) and a once-weekly extended-release product (Bydureon). Approved use centers on blood glucose management, and research has also examined its effects on body weight.

How it works: It acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying.

Type 2 diabetes; glycemic control; glucagon suppression; body weight research

Liraglutide is a once-daily injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA. Under the brand Victoza it improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and reduces major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease, and under the brand Saxenda it is approved for chronic weight management. It is used together with diet and exercise.

How it works: It activates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.

Type 2 diabetes; weight management; cardiovascular risk reduction

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Orforglipron is an oral once-daily non-peptide small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. In 2026 it was approved by the FDA under the brand Foundayo for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight and a weight-related condition, used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It has also been studied in type 2 diabetes.

How it works: It is a non-peptide molecule that activates the GLP-1 receptor, promoting glucose-dependent insulin secretion and reducing appetite.

Weight management; obesity; type 2 diabetes

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Tirzepatide is a peptide analog that activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, the two main incretin hormone pathways. This dual action increases insulin secretion, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite, which lowers blood sugar and body weight. It is FDA approved for type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro and for chronic weight management as Zepbound, and it is still studied for other metabolic conditions.

How it works: It activates the GIP and GLP-1 incretin receptors, boosting insulin release, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite.

Type 2 diabetes; weight management; obesity; metabolic disease

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone that prompts the pituitary gland to release the body's own growth hormone. It is approved by the FDA to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Beyond that approved use, it has also been researched for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and for possible effects on cognition in older adults.

How it works: It binds growth-hormone-releasing-hormone receptors in the pituitary, prompting release of the body's own growth hormone.

HIV lipodystrophy; abdominal fat; fatty liver; cognitive research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Sermorelin, sold under the brand Geref, is a synthetic peptide identical to the first 29 amino acids of human growth hormone releasing hormone, the portion responsible for its activity. It binds GHRH receptors in the pituitary and stimulates the natural production and release of growth hormone. It was FDA approved for evaluating pituitary function and for growth hormone deficiency in children, but the branded product was later discontinued for commercial reasons.

How it works: It activates pituitary growth hormone releasing hormone receptors, prompting the gland to secrete growth hormone naturally.

Growth hormone deficiency; pituitary function testing; adult GH decline; body composition

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Human insulin is a recombinant version of the endogenous pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose. It is FDA approved to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It promotes glucose uptake by muscle and fat tissue and suppresses hepatic glucose output. Severe hypoglycemia is the principal safety concern.

How it works: It binds the insulin receptor, stimulating cellular glucose uptake and glycogen, lipid, and protein synthesis while inhibiting hepatic glucose production.

Type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes; diabetic ketoacidosis; hyperglycemic emergencies

CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly injectable that combines the amylin analog cagrilintide with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide in a single product. It has completed phase 3 trials for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes, and a new drug application has been filed with the FDA. It is not yet approved, and regulatory review is ongoing.

How it works: It pairs an amylin receptor agonist with a GLP-1 receptor agonist to reduce appetite and food intake through two complementary pathways.

Obesity; weight management; type 2 diabetes

MK-677, also called ibutamoren, is an orally active non-peptide compound that mimics the hormone ghrelin and acts as a growth hormone secretagogue. In human trials it raised growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and increased fat-free mass. It is not a peptide and it is not approved for human use. Documented effects include increased appetite, fluid retention, and reduced insulin sensitivity.

How it works: It activates the ghrelin receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus, stimulating release of the body's own growth hormone.

Growth hormone research; body composition; appetite research; bone density research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

GHRP-2, also called pralmorelin, is a synthetic peptide that mimics ghrelin and acts as a growth hormone secretagogue. It binds the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus to trigger release of growth hormone. It is approved in Japan as a single-dose diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency and is otherwise used as a research compound without broader approval.

How it works: It activates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary and hypothalamus to stimulate growth hormone release.

Growth hormone stimulation; GH deficiency diagnosis; appetite stimulation; body composition research; endocrine research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Setmelanotide is a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist that reduces excessive hunger and body weight in specific genetic obesity disorders. It is FDA approved for chronic weight management in patients with obesity due to confirmed POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency, with later approvals expanding to other melanocortin-pathway conditions. It is given by subcutaneous injection.

How it works: It is a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist that restores hypothalamic melanocortin signaling, reducing hunger and increasing energy expenditure.

POMC deficiency obesity; LEPR deficiency obesity; Bardet-Biedl syndrome; hypothalamic obesity

Mazdutide is a synthetic peptide analog of oxyntomodulin that acts as a dual agonist of the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor. The GLP-1 action supports glucose control and appetite reduction, while glucagon receptor activity may increase energy expenditure. Given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, it is approved in China for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes and remains in late-stage trials elsewhere.

How it works: It activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, reducing appetite and blood glucose while increasing energy expenditure.

Obesity treatment; type 2 diabetes; weight management; metabolic health

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

AOD-9604 is a synthetic sixteen-amino-acid peptide based on the fat-metabolising tail region of human growth hormone, with an extra tyrosine added. In laboratory and animal work it appears to trigger the breakdown of stored fat without the broader growth-hormone effects on blood sugar or tissue growth. It was studied mainly as a possible obesity treatment, but a larger human trial did not show enough effect and development was discontinued.

How it works: It mimics a fat-metabolising region of human growth hormone thought to trigger breakdown of stored fat while largely sparing growth-hormone effects on blood sugar.

Obesity research; fat metabolism; metabolic health; cartilage repair

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting, acylated analog of the hormone amylin developed for weight-management research. It binds amylin and calcitonin receptors in the brain to promote satiety and slow gastric emptying, which lowers food intake. It is studied once weekly by injection, often alongside semaglutide in the combination CagriSema, and has completed phase 3 obesity trials while awaiting regulatory review.

How it works: It activates amylin and calcitonin receptors in the brain to increase satiety and slow gastric emptying, reducing food intake.

Weight management; appetite reduction; obesity research; type 2 diabetes; combination therapy

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Survodutide is an investigational once-weekly injectable peptide that activates both the glucagon receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. It is being studied in late-stage clinical trials for chronic weight management in obesity and for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and it has also been evaluated in type 2 diabetes. It is not approved by any regulatory agency.

How it works: It activates both the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors, an action linked to reduced appetite and increased energy expenditure.

Obesity; weight management; liver disease; type 2 diabetes

Amycretin is an investigational unimolecular peptide that activates both the GLP-1 receptor and the amylin receptor, developed by Novo Nordisk for weight management in overweight or obesity. It is not approved by any regulator. In early-phase research using subcutaneous and oral formulations it produced substantial reductions in body weight, and larger trials have been planned.

How it works: It combines GLP-1 receptor agonism that curbs appetite with amylin receptor agonism affecting satiety and metabolism.

Weight loss; obesity; overweight; type 2 diabetes

MariTide is an investigational antibody-peptide conjugate that combines GLP-1 receptor agonism with GIP receptor antagonism, developed by Amgen for obesity and related metabolic conditions. A phase 2 obesity study reported substantial weight reduction with once-monthly dosing, and the program has advanced toward later-stage trials. It is not approved for any use.

How it works: It combines GLP-1 receptor agonism with GIP receptor antagonism using a monoclonal antibody conjugated to GLP-1 agonist peptides.

Obesity; weight management; metabolic control; type 2 diabetes

Albiglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist formerly marketed as Tanzeum in the United States and Eperzan in Europe for type 2 diabetes. It is a fusion protein linking modified GLP-1 sequences to human serum albumin, giving a long half-life suited to weekly injection. It was approved in 2014 but the manufacturer withdrew it worldwide by 2018 for commercial reasons rather than safety.

How it works: It activates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, and slowing gastric emptying.

Type 2 diabetes; glycemic control; historical weekly injectable therapy

CT-388 is an investigational once-weekly peptide that acts as a signal-biased dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed by Roche for obesity and overweight. It has no regulatory approval. In phase 1 and phase 2 studies it produced clinically meaningful weight loss, and it is advancing toward later-stage trials, including in type 2 diabetes.

How it works: It activates GLP-1 and GIP receptors with signalling bias that limits receptor internalisation, reducing appetite and improving glucose control.

Weight loss; obesity; overweight; type 2 diabetes

Irisin is an endogenous myokine produced by cleavage of the membrane protein FNDC5 and released largely in response to exercise. It is a research compound and is not an approved drug. Preclinical studies describe roles in browning of white fat, energy metabolism, bone, and neuroprotection, but its physiological significance in humans remains debated and unresolved.

How it works: It is a cleaved FNDC5 ectodomain that signals to fat and other tissues, associated in research with browning of white fat and thermogenesis.

Metabolism research; adipose browning; exercise physiology; bone and neuroprotection research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Ecnoglutide is an investigational long-acting, cAMP signalling-biased GLP-1 receptor analog developed by Sciwind Biosciences, studied for type 2 diabetes and for overweight or obesity. It is not approved outside of clinical research. Randomised phase 2 and phase 3 trials, conducted largely in China, reported reductions in blood glucose and body weight with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.

How it works: It is a modified GLP-1 peptide biased toward cyclic AMP signalling that activates the GLP-1 receptor to lower glucose and reduce appetite.

Type 2 diabetes; weight loss; obesity; overweight

Pemvidutide is an investigational GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist developed by Altimmune, given once weekly by subcutaneous injection. It is not approved for any indication. It is being studied for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, obesity, and alcohol-related conditions, with phase 2 data showing weight loss and liver improvements and a phase 3 trial underway.

How it works: It co-activates GLP-1 receptors to reduce appetite and glucose and glucagon receptors to raise energy expenditure and mobilise liver fat.

Metabolic liver disease; MASH; obesity; weight loss; alcohol use disorder

Neuropeptide Y is an abundant 36 amino acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is among the most potent physiological stimulants of food intake and also contributes to energy balance, stress and anxiety responses, and cardiovascular regulation. As an endogenous molecule it serves as a research and drug-target focus rather than a therapeutic product.

How it works: It is an endogenous agonist at Y-family receptors, modulating appetite, energy homeostasis, and stress and cardiovascular signaling.

Appetite research; stress and mood research; energy metabolism; cardiovascular research

VK2735 is an investigational dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist from Viking Therapeutics, studied for obesity in both a weekly subcutaneous form and an oral tablet form. Phase 2 VENTURE trials reported substantial weight reduction, and a phase 3 program has begun. It remains investigational and is not approved for any use.

How it works: It acts as a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, influencing insulin secretion, appetite, and body weight.

Obesity; weight management; overweight metabolic research; appetite regulation

Adipotide is an experimental peptidomimetic that links a fat-vessel homing sequence to a proapoptotic sequence. It binds prohibitin on the blood vessels that supply white fat, causing those vessels to regress and the fat cells they feed to die. In obese mice and monkeys it produced rapid weight loss and improved insulin resistance, but its phase 1 obesity program was later discontinued.

How it works: It homes to the blood vessels feeding white fat and triggers their death, so the fat cells they supply are lost.

Obesity research; weight loss; insulin resistance; adipose vasculature

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Cotadutide is an investigational peptide that acts as a balanced dual agonist at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, studied for type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic liver disease. It is not approved for any use. AstraZeneca discontinued the once-daily program in favor of a weekly co-agonist, so development of this molecule has been halted.

How it works: It activates GLP-1 receptors to reduce appetite and glucose and glucagon receptors to increase energy expenditure and hepatic fat oxidation.

Type 2 diabetes; obesity; metabolic liver disease; chronic kidney disease

TLQP-21 is a peptide derived from the VGF precursor protein, named for its N-terminal residues. In rodent studies it modulates energy metabolism, feeding, lipolysis, stress responses, and pain and inflammatory signaling. It is reported to act mainly through the complement C3a receptor. It is an experimental research peptide with no human clinical data and no approved use.

How it works: It is a VGF-derived peptide acting largely at the complement C3a receptor, influencing metabolic, stress, and immune signaling.

Energy metabolism research; obesity research; stress and depression models; neuroimmune research

Efocipegtrutide is an investigational long-acting triple agonist of the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, developed by Hanmi Pharmaceutical using a peptide-Fc conjugation technology. It has no regulatory approval. It has been studied mainly in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and obesity, with phase 2 trials evaluating liver fat, body weight, and safety.

How it works: It activates GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors together to reduce appetite, lower liver fat, and increase energy expenditure.

Metabolic liver disease; NASH; obesity; weight loss

AICAR is a small-molecule nucleoside that mimics AMP and activates AMP-activated protein kinase, a central regulator of cellular energy balance. It is not a peptide and is not approved by any regulator. It has been studied in human trials for heart protection during cardiac bypass surgery and for certain blood cancers, and it is prohibited in sport by anti-doping authorities.

How it works: It is converted inside cells to an AMP analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase, shifting cells toward burning fuel.

Metabolic research; cardiac protection; cancer research; exercise metabolism

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

HGH Fragment 176-191 is the native carboxyl-terminal region of human growth hormone that has been studied for effects on fat metabolism. Early animal and laboratory work linked this region of the hormone to actions on lipid metabolism. Human evidence for the isolated fragment is minimal, and it is not an approved drug. It is a different molecule from AOD-9604, which is a modified analog carrying an added tyrosine.

How it works: It corresponds to the lipid-metabolism-associated C-terminal region of growth hormone and is studied for effects on fat tissue.

Fat metabolism research; lipolysis research; body composition research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Bioglutide, also identified by the code NA-931, is an investigational orally administered agent under development by Biomed Industries for obesity. Its developer describes it as a multi-receptor agonist whose actions include GLP-1 receptor agonism. Reported weight-reduction findings come from an early-phase, developer-sponsored study, and independent peer-reviewed confirmation is currently limited.

How it works: It is described by its developer as an oral multi-receptor agonist acting at the GLP-1 receptor alongside other metabolic receptors.

Obesity research; overweight research; appetite regulation

This entry is a combination of two separate peptides rather than a single molecule. Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of the first twenty-nine amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone, and ipamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue acting as a ghrelin receptor agonist. They are paired in research to promote pituitary growth hormone release through complementary pathways.

How it works: It pairs a GHRH analog with a selective ghrelin receptor agonist to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release.

Growth hormone research; body composition research; endocrine study

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

This entry is a combination stack pairing two separate research peptides, CJC-1295 and GHRP-6, not a single molecule. CJC-1295 is a synthetic growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog, and GHRP-6 is a growth-hormone-releasing peptide that acts at the ghrelin receptor. The two are combined in research settings to stimulate pituitary growth hormone secretion through complementary mechanisms.

How it works: It combines a GHRH analog with a ghrelin receptor agonist to stimulate pituitary growth hormone release through two pathways.

Growth hormone research; body composition research; GH-axis study

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Petrelintide is an investigational long-acting amylin receptor agonist being developed for chronic weight management. Amylin signaling promotes satiety and can help restore sensitivity to leptin, reducing food intake. It is designed as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection and is an amylin analog rather than a GLP-1 based therapy. Phase 2 results reported double-digit weight loss with tolerability described as placebo-like.

How it works: It is a long-acting amylin receptor agonist that promotes satiety and reduces food intake, distinct from GLP-1 based agents.

Chronic weight management; obesity; appetite regulation

Tesofensine is a small-molecule triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor that blocks reuptake of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin. It was originally developed for Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, where development was discontinued, and has since been investigated as an appetite-suppressing weight-loss agent. In phase 2 obesity trials it produced greater weight loss than placebo. It is not approved by the FDA and remains investigational.

How it works: It inhibits reuptake of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, increasing their signaling and reducing appetite.

Weight loss research; obesity research; appetite suppression

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Retatrutide is an investigational peptide that activates three metabolic hormone receptors at once, namely GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon. By engaging all three it increases insulin release, curbs appetite, and raises energy expenditure, producing large reductions in body weight and liver fat in trials. It is not approved for any use and is being studied mainly for obesity and fatty liver disease.

How it works: It activates the GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors together to reduce appetite, improve insulin response, and raise energy expenditure.

Obesity research; fatty liver disease; type 2 diabetes; metabolic disease

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

MET-097i is an investigational ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed by Metsera for chronic weight management. Early clinical studies reported weight reduction and a pharmacokinetic profile supporting infrequent dosing, and the program has progressed into later-stage obesity trials. It remains investigational and is not approved for any use.

How it works: It acts as a biased, ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist influencing glucose-dependent insulin secretion and appetite.

Obesity; chronic weight management; cardiometabolic research; appetite regulation

5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, known as NNMT. By blocking NNMT it is proposed to raise cellular NAD+ and shift the methylation balance in fat cells, which in animal work has been linked to reduced fat accumulation. It has been studied mainly in cell and rodent models of obesity and metabolic disease. It has no approval for human use.

How it works: It inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, which may raise cellular NAD+ and alter energy metabolism in fat cells.

NNMT inhibition; fat metabolism; obesity research; cellular NAD levels

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic long-acting analog of growth hormone releasing hormone that carries a drug affinity complex, allowing it to bind serum albumin and circulate for days. It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone and raise IGF-1 over an extended period. It was tested in early human trials for its endocrine effects, but development was discontinued and it has no medical approval.

How it works: It binds serum albumin through a drug affinity complex and stimulates pituitary growth hormone release, raising IGF-1 for several days.

Growth hormone stimulation; IGF-1 elevation; body composition research; recovery research; endocrine research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Hexarelin is a synthetic hexapeptide and growth hormone secretagogue derived from GHRP-6 that binds the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor. By activating this receptor in the pituitary it stimulates release of growth hormone, with smaller effects on prolactin, ACTH, and cortisol. It reached early human trials for growth hormone deficiency and heart failure and is studied for growth hormone release and cardiac function.

How it works: It activates the ghrelin growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the pituitary, stimulating release of growth hormone.

Growth hormone release; cardiac function; growth hormone deficiency; bone research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Follistatin-344 is the longer follistatin form encoded by the full-length FST transcript, which after processing yields the mature circulating protein. It is a secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes transforming growth factor beta proteins, including activin and myostatin. Because myostatin restrains muscle growth, a virus carrying the follistatin-344 sequence was tested in an early human gene therapy trial for muscle disease. It has not been approved for any use.

How it works: It binds activin and myostatin, blocking their access to activin type II receptors and relieving suppression of muscle growth.

Muscle growth research; myostatin inhibition; activin neutralization; muscular dystrophy research

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Enobosarm is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator, not a peptide, developed to build muscle and bone while limiting effects on other androgen-responsive tissues. It has been evaluated in human trials for muscle wasting in cancer and for androgen receptor positive breast cancer, but it is not approved for any medical use. It is also sold illicitly in supplements as Ostarine, and both regulators and case reports link it to liver injury.

How it works: It selectively activates androgen receptors in muscle and bone while having limited activity in other androgen-responsive tissues.

Muscle wasting research; body composition; breast cancer research; bone density research

Eloralintide is an investigational selective, long-acting amylin receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly for chronic weight management. It has completed early human studies and a phase 2 trial in adults with obesity and has advanced into phase 3 studies. It is an amylin agonist rather than a glucagon-like peptide-1 drug, it is not approved by any regulatory agency, and its published safety data remain limited.

How it works: It selectively activates amylin receptors, an action associated with reduced appetite and food intake.

Obesity; weight management; overweight with comorbidity

Aleniglipron is an investigational once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Structure Therapeutics for obesity and overweight. It has been evaluated in the ACCESS phase 2 program, including a randomized placebo-controlled trial reporting weight reduction. It remains investigational and is not approved.

How it works: It selectively activates the GLP-1 receptor as an orally available small molecule, promoting satiety and glucose-dependent insulin effects.

Obesity; overweight with comorbidity; metabolic research

Trevogrumab, also identified as REGN1033, is a fully human monoclonal antibody developed by Regeneron that selectively binds and neutralizes myostatin, a natural inhibitor of muscle growth. It has been studied for muscle-related conditions and is currently in a phase 2 obesity trial, where it is combined with a GLP-1 receptor agonist to help preserve lean mass during weight loss. It remains investigational.

How it works: It is a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes myostatin, preventing it from signaling through receptors that limit muscle growth.

Myostatin blockade; lean mass preservation; sarcopenia research; obesity adjunct research

Taspoglutide is an investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Roche with Ipsen for type 2 diabetes, designed for weekly injection. It is a modified GLP-1 peptide carrying substitutions that resist enzymatic breakdown. Roche halted its phase 3 program in 2010 after serious hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal side effects, and development was not resumed.

How it works: It activates the GLP-1 receptor to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, and slow gastric emptying.

Type 2 diabetes; glycemic control; discontinued weekly injectable research

Follistatin-315 is the mature follistatin protein and the main isoform circulating in blood. An acidic tail lowers its binding to cell-surface heparan sulfate, so it stays soluble rather than tissue-bound like the shorter form. It binds and neutralizes activin and myostatin, and blocking myostatin is the basis of research interest in muscle. It is the same mature protein encoded by the follistatin-344 transcript and has not been approved for any use.

How it works: As the main circulating follistatin form, it binds activin and myostatin in blood, preventing them from activating muscle-limiting receptors.

Myostatin inhibition; activin binding; muscle growth research; circulating follistatin studies

Real-world figures are community-reported, not medical advice.

Bimagrumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks activin type II receptors, preventing signaling by myostatin and related ligands. It is investigational and not FDA approved. It has been studied in phase 2 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes, where it was associated with loss of fat mass and gain of lean mass, and previously in muscle-wasting conditions.

How it works: It is a monoclonal antibody antagonizing activin type II receptors, blocking myostatin and activin signaling to increase muscle and reduce fat.

Obesity research; type 2 diabetes; muscle preservation; sarcopenia research

Bivamelagon is an investigational orally administered small molecule that activates the melanocortin-4 receptor, a pathway central to the regulation of appetite and energy balance. It is being studied primarily in acquired hypothalamic obesity, a rare condition caused by damage to the hypothalamus. In a placebo-controlled phase 2 trial it produced significant reductions in body mass index. It is not approved.

How it works: It is a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist that restores signaling in hypothalamic pathways governing hunger and energy expenditure.

Acquired hypothalamic obesity; rare genetic obesity; appetite and weight regulation

GUBamy is an investigational long-acting amylin analog developed by Gubra for the treatment of obesity. It entered phase 1 clinical testing, with reported single and multiple ascending dose data, and was licensed to AbbVie under a 2025 agreement. It is a real, identifiable compound and is not approved.

How it works: It acts as an amylin receptor agonist, a mechanism associated with appetite suppression and slowed gastric emptying.

Obesity; weight management; metabolic research

Ribupatide is an investigational dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist peptide developed by Hengrui Pharma and licensed to Kailera Therapeutics, studied for obesity in both subcutaneous and oral formulations. Phase 2 obesity trials reported meaningful weight reduction, and phase 3 trials are underway. It remains investigational and is not approved for any use.

How it works: It acts as a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, influencing insulin secretion, appetite, and body weight.

Obesity; weight management; type 2 diabetes; glycemic control

Zovaglutide, also known as ZT-002, is an investigational long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by QL Biopharm. It carries a dual fatty-acid modification that increases albumin binding and extends its duration, supporting a once-monthly subcutaneous dosing schedule under study for obesity. In a phase 2 trial it met its body-weight reduction endpoints; it remains investigational and is not approved.

How it works: It is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with fatty-acid modification that prolongs GLP-1-mediated appetite and glucose effects.

Weight management; obesity; metabolic research