🫃 Gut & Digestive peptides

A Novo Nordisk investigational co-agonist targeting GLP-1 and amylin pathways, now closely watched as a next-wave obesity candidate.

A balanced GLP-1 and glucagon dual agonist from Altimmune with obesity and liver-disease relevance.

A synthetic 39-amino-acid copy of exendin-4, a Gila monster venom peptide, and the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in the United States (2005); every branded product has since been discontinued, leaving a generic twice-daily pen for type 2 diabetes.

A positron-emitting somatostatin analog in which the octapeptide DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate carries gallium-68 to somatostatin receptor-positive cells, FDA approved since 2016 as the PET imaging agent NETSPOT for localizing neuroendocrine tumors.

The 29-residue pancreatic alpha-cell hormone that raises blood glucose through the hepatic glucagon receptor, FDA approved since 1960 as an injectable rescue for severe hypoglycemia and a radiologic diagnostic aid, and since 2019 as ready-to-use autoinjectors and a nasal powder.

A synthetic 14-amino-acid guanylate cyclase-C agonist taken orally and minimally absorbed, FDA approved since 2012 as Linzess for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation, with pediatric constipation indications added in 2023 through 2026.

A 44-amino-acid exendin-4 derivative and once-daily, short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA in 2016 for type 2 diabetes; the standalone pen was withdrawn from the US market in 2023, leaving only the fixed-ratio insulin glargine combination.

A radiolabeled somatostatin analog in which the octapeptide DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate carries the beta emitter lutetium-177 into somatostatin receptor-positive tumor cells, FDA approved since 2018 for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

A somatostatin analog widely used in endocrine and neuroendocrine medicine, and one of the most important approved peptide drugs missing from many peptide libraries.

A synthetic 16-amino-acid analog of human uroguanylin, FDA approved since 2017 as a once-daily oral tablet for chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C, that activates intestinal guanylate cyclase-C in a pH-dependent manner to increase luminal fluid secretion.

A synthetic copy of the 27-amino-acid duodenal hormone secretin, FDA approved since 2004 as ChiRhoStim for pancreatic function testing and gastrinoma diagnosis, and widely known for the autism trials of 1999-2012 that found no benefit.

The synthetic sulfated C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8), FDA approved since 1976 as Kinevac, an intravenous diagnostic agent that contracts the gallbladder and stimulates pancreatic secretion during hepatobiliary imaging and duodenal aspiration studies.

A recombinant 33-amino-acid analog of glucagon-like peptide-2, engineered for DPP-4 resistance and FDA-approved in 2012 as Gattex, that reduces parenteral-support dependence in short bowel syndrome by expanding the gut's absorptive capacity.

A native 52-amino-acid vasodilator peptide of the calcitonin family, isolated from human pheochromocytoma in 1993 and tested by Japanese investigators as an intravenous infusion for ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, stroke and COVID-19 pneumonia without any approved product.

A synthetic, long-acting glucagon-like peptide-2 analog from Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, dosed once weekly, that reduced parenteral-support volume in the phase 3 STARS trial in short bowel syndrome but must repeat the result in the confirmatory STARS-2 trial, which began enrolling in June 2026, before Ironwood files.

A synthetic hexapeptide analog of Leu-enkephalin (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) registered as an injectable anti-ulcer and pancreatitis drug in Russia, acting as a peripherally restricted opioid agonist that does not meaningfully cross the blood-brain barrier.

Pfizer's PF-06882961, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist that lowered HbA1c and body weight in phase 2 trials but was discontinued on April 14, 2025 after high gastrointestinal dropout and a potential drug-induced liver injury case.

An investigational once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist, an oxyntomodulin-derived peptide conjugated to an immunoglobulin Fc fragment, originated by Hanmi, trialed in obesity by Janssen, and developed since 2020 by Merck for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Akero Therapeutics' Fc-FGF21 fusion protein (AKR-001), a long-acting FGF21 analog in phase 3 development for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis after the HARMONY phase 2b trial showed fibrosis improvement and the SYMMETRY cirrhosis trial missed its primary endpoint.

The 28-amino-acid stomach hormone that is the natural ligand for the GHS-R1a growth hormone secretagogue receptor, requiring an octanoyl group on serine 3 for activity — the modification that makes it chemically fragile and clinically impractical.

A synthetic, long-acting glucagon-like peptide-2 analog from Zealand Pharma that reduced parenteral-support volume in the phase 3 EASE SBS 1 trial in short bowel syndrome, drew an FDA complete response letter in December 2024, received a positive CHMP opinion in Europe in September 2026, with a confirmatory trial, EASE SBS 5, underway in response to the FDA's request for a second trial.

The native human growth factor FGF-7, secreted by fibroblasts to drive epithelial repair through the FGFR2b receptor; its N-truncated recombinant form palifermin is FDA approved for severe oral mucositis, while KGF-1 itself remains a research reagent.

A synthetic eight-amino-acid peptide derived from a Vibrio cholerae toxin fragment, developed as an oral zonulin antagonist and tight-junction regulator for celiac disease, whose Phase 3 trial was stopped after a failed interim analysis in 2022.

A native 13-amino-acid peptide found in the brain and small intestine that signals through the NTS1 and NTS2 receptors and sortilin, studied in humans mainly as a physiology probe and never developed into an approved medicine.

GlycoPEGylated fibroblast growth factor 21 analog, a long-acting protein developed by 89bio, in phase 3 trials for MASH with fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis after positive phase 2 histology and triglyceride results.

A 15-amino acid peptide derived from human gastric juice, extensively studied for tissue regeneration, gut healing, and injury recovery across multiple systems.

Zealand Pharma's ZP7570, a lipidated GLP-2 analog engineered to activate both GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptors, which lowered body weight in a phase 1b trial, missed its primary endpoint in the phase 2a DREAM trial, and was paused in November 2025.

The native 42-amino-acid incretin hormone secreted by intestinal K cells after meals, which potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin release and whose receptor is a target shared by tirzepatide and retatrutide; no GIP drug product exists.

A gut hormone that acts on GLP-1 and glucagon-related pathways and helped shape the modern obesity-peptide conversation.

A satiety-linked gut hormone that has long been studied in obesity and appetite regulation.

A vasoactive intestinal peptide associated with neuroimmune and inflammatory signaling discussions.

The native 31-amino-acid active form of human glucagon-like peptide-1, cleaved from proglucagon in intestinal L cells, whose one-to-two-minute half-life under DPP-4 is the reason every marketed GLP-1 drug is an analog rather than the hormone itself.

The native 33-amino-acid intestinal hormone cleaved from proglucagon that drives crypt-cell proliferation, mucosal blood flow and nutrient absorption, studied in short bowel syndrome and bone turnover but never approved; its DPP-4-resistant analog teduglutide is the approved drug.

A short peptide fragment associated with gut-barrier, inflammatory, and tissue-soothing discussions in the peptide market.

A synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) from the Khavinson bioregulator family, studied for hepatic tissue bioregulation and liver geroprotection.

A synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Leu) from the Khavinson bioregulator family, attributed by its developers to the liver and studied within their own research network mainly as a kidney-protective agent in rats and renal cell cultures.

A synthetic amidated tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp-NH2) from the Khavinson bioregulator program, attributed to the pancreas and studied in rodent, primate, and one small Ukrainian clinical report for glucose tolerance and islet-cell gene expression.

The native 14-amino-acid hypothalamic and gut hormone that inhibits growth hormone, insulin, glucagon and splanchnic blood flow, sold abroad as a hospital infusion for variceal bleeding but never approved in the United States, where octreotide is the clinical analog.

The di-arginine salt form of the 15-amino-acid BPC-157 sequence, marketed as a more stable presentation of the same peptide; no peer-reviewed study or clinical trial exists under the pentadeca arginate name.