What Is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide (CAS 1415456-99-3; also designated AM833 and NN9838) is a synthetic, long-acting analog of the human hormone amylin (islet amyloid polypeptide, IAPP). With a molecular weight of approximately 3949 Da, Cagrilintide is a 37-amino-acid acylated peptide engineered for extended pharmacokinetic duration through C18 fatty diacid acylation and strategic amino acid substitutions that enhance albumin binding and resist enzymatic degradation.
Amylin is a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells in response to nutrient intake. It plays a key role in postprandial glucose regulation, gastric emptying, and satiety signaling. Cagrilintide was developed by Novo Nordisk to exploit the appetite-suppressing and weight-lowering properties of amylin receptor activation with a once-weekly dosing profile suitable for chronic administration research.
Cagrilintide is classified within the weight management peptide category and has become one of the most actively studied compounds in the obesity and metabolic disease research pipeline. It is supplied as a research-use-only (RUO) compound through our wholesale peptide program. Cagrilintide has not been independently approved by the FDA as a standalone therapeutic agent.
Mechanism of Action
Cagrilintide functions as a long-acting amylin receptor agonist. Amylin receptors are heterodimeric complexes formed by the calcitonin receptor (CTR) paired with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs), particularly RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3. The resulting receptor subtypes (AMY1, AMY2, AMY3) are expressed in brain regions critical for appetite regulation, including the area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract in the hindbrain.
Upon binding to amylin receptors, Cagrilintide activates cAMP/PKA signaling in hindbrain neurons, promoting satiety and reducing food intake through both direct appetite suppression and slowed gastric emptying. The C18 fatty diacid acylation enables non-covalent binding to serum albumin, dramatically extending the compound’s circulating half-life to support once-weekly dosing in preclinical protocols, compared to the approximately 15-minute half-life of native amylin.
An important research focus has been the potential for synergistic effects between amylin receptor agonism and GLP-1 receptor agonism. Preclinical and clinical-stage studies have investigated Cagrilintide in combination with Semaglutide (the combination known as CagriSema), hypothesizing that simultaneous activation of these complementary appetite-regulation pathways produces greater weight loss than either mechanism alone. Other metabolic research compounds including Tirzepatide and Retatrutide target related but distinct receptor systems.
Research Applications
Cagrilintide has been investigated across several research domains centered on metabolic regulation and body weight control:
Obesity and Weight Management Research
The primary research application for Cagrilintide involves its effects on body weight and food intake. In both preclinical animal models and published phase 2 clinical trial data, Cagrilintide administration has been associated with significant dose-dependent reductions in body weight, driven primarily by reduced caloric intake. These findings position Cagrilintide as a key compound in the weight management research pipeline alongside GLP-1 agonists and other incretins.
Combination Therapy Research
Researchers have extensively investigated Cagrilintide in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly Semaglutide. The rationale is based on the complementary mechanisms: amylin and GLP-1 activate distinct but converging satiety circuits in the brainstem. Published data from combination studies have reported enhanced weight loss compared to either compound administered alone, making this a major focus of current metabolic research.
Glycemic Regulation
Beyond weight management, researchers have studied Cagrilintide’s effects on glycemic parameters including postprandial glucose excursions, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity. Native amylin is known to suppress glucagon secretion and slow gastric emptying, both of which contribute to glucose homeostasis. Cagrilintide’s extended-duration activity profile enables investigation of chronic amylin receptor activation effects on metabolic biomarkers.
Appetite Neuroscience
Preclinical studies have used Cagrilintide to investigate amylin receptor signaling in the central nervous system, including neuronal activation patterns in the area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, and hypothalamic nuclei. These studies employ c-Fos immunohistochemistry and other neuronal activity markers to map the appetite-regulation circuits engaged by long-acting amylin analogs.
For clinical research-grade supply and high-volume needs, visit the Cagrilintide wholesale pricing page.
Available Formats and Bulk Options
Cagrilintide is available through Wholesale Bulk Peptides in formats appropriate for metabolic research:
- 2 mg lyophilized vials — suitable for binding assays, cAMP functional assays, and pilot pharmacokinetic studies
- 5 mg lyophilized vials — optimized for chronic dosing studies in rodent and larger animal models
- Bulk lyophilized powder — gram-scale quantities for contract research organizations and private-label peptide brands
Custom formulations and labeling available for qualified wholesale accounts. Apply through the wholesale program application.
Wholesale Pricing Summary
Cagrilintide wholesale pricing reflects its complex synthesis (acylated, 37-residue peptide with non-standard modifications) and is structured on a volume-tiered basis for institutional buyers and CROs. For detailed pricing, MOQs, and lead-time information, visit the Cagrilintide wholesale page. New accounts apply through the wholesale program portal.
Quality Assurance, Testing, and COAs
Every batch of Cagrilintide undergoes comprehensive analytical testing before release:
- HPLC — confirms purity of 97% or greater with detection of acylation-related impurities
- MALDI-TOF or ESI Mass Spectrometry — validates the approximately 3949 Da molecular weight and confirms the C18 fatty diacid modification
- Peptide Content Determination — quantifies net peptide content for accurate dosing calculations
- Endotoxin and Bioburden Testing — ensures suitability for in vivo metabolic research
Batch-specific COAs accompany every order. Access our COA library and testing methodology page. The Peptide COA Guide helps with analytical interpretation.
Storage and Stability
Store Cagrilintide lyophilized powder at -20 degrees Celsius, protected from light and moisture. The acylated peptide has good stability under proper storage conditions, with an expected shelf life of 18-24 months. Due to the lipidated modification, use an appropriate solvent system for reconstitution (consult technical documentation for specific buffer recommendations). Store reconstituted solutions at 2-8 degrees Celsius and use within 7-14 days. Cold-chain shipping with temperature monitoring is strongly recommended for bulk orders.
Compliance and Intended Use
Cagrilintide is provided by Wholesale Bulk Peptides for research use only (RUO). It is not a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive. Cagrilintide has been the subject of advanced clinical-stage investigation by its originator but is supplied through our wholesale program exclusively for qualified laboratory research. All purchasers must comply with applicable regulations and maintain RUO labeling on all downstream products and packaging.
Related Compounds
Researchers studying Cagrilintide frequently investigate complementary metabolic and weight-management peptides:
- Semaglutide — the GLP-1 receptor agonist studied in combination with Cagrilintide (CagriSema) for synergistic weight management research
- Tirzepatide — a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist with potent metabolic effects studied for comparative efficacy
- Retatrutide — a triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist representing the next generation of multi-agonist metabolic compounds
- AOD-9604 — an hGH fragment studied for direct lipolytic effects complementary to central appetite suppression
Explore the complete weight management peptide catalog. For brand development, visit our Start a Peptide Brand resource.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cagrilintide
Our technical team addresses common wholesale buyer questions about Cagrilintide covering reconstitution protocols for acylated peptides, stability data, combination study design considerations, and analytical documentation. For product-specific FAQs, see the Cagrilintide wholesale page. For general program questions, visit the wholesale peptides hub.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational and research purposes only. Cagrilintide is sold as a Research Use Only (RUO) compound. It is not intended for human or veterinary diagnostic or therapeutic use. All buyers are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and institutional guidelines. Wholesale Bulk Peptides makes no claims regarding the safety or efficacy of this compound for any purpose other than qualified laboratory research.