Description
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Retatrutide(LY3437943) Research & Chemical Profile
Description
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational, acylated peptide that acts as a triple agonist at the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon (GCGR) receptors. This multi-receptor profile is designed to combine incretin-driven appetite and glycemic effects (GLP-1, GIP) with glucagon-mediated increases in energy expenditure and lipid mobilization. In a phase 2 obesity study, retatrutide produced substantial weight reduction over 48 weeks with dose-dependent effects.
Chemical Structure / Identifiers
Property Detail Class/Targets Triple agonist: GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR Molecular Formula (PubChem) C221H342N46O68 Approx. Molecular Weight (PubChem) ≈ 4731 g/mol CAS Number 2381089-83-2 PubChem CID 171390338 (retatrutide free base); 171934787 (sodium salt) Synonyms LY3437943; retatrutide [INN] Sequence/Notes Peptide sequence available in public databases/patents; long-chain acylation used for half-life extension Primary Research Focus
• Obesity and weight management: phase 2 trial reported mean weight reduction up to ~24% at 48 weeks at the highest dose in adults with obesity without diabetes.
• Glycemic and metabolic effects: improvements in glycemic markers in early studies; ongoing evaluation versus active comparators.
• Cardiometabolic biomarkers and liver fat: reports of reductions in triglycerides, apoC-III, and liver fat content in development program updates.
• Mechanistic rationale: GLP-1/GIP promote satiety and insulinotropic effects; GCGR engagement may increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation.Safety / Limitations
• Adverse events consistent with incretin/glucagon agonism: gastrointestinal events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) were common and dose-related in trials; dose titration was used to improve tolerability.
• Transient heart rate increases and other class effects are being monitored; full long-term cardiovascular and hepatic safety remain under study.
• Drug is investigational; phase 3 trials are ongoing. Safety and efficacy are not established for clinical use outside trials.Key Publications / References
NEJM (2023): Triple–Hormone–Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972
PubMed record for the NEJM phase 2 trial (NCT04881760). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37366315/
PubChem Compound Summary: Retatrutide (CID 171390338) and sodium salt (CID 171934787). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/171390338 https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/171934787
ClinicalTrials.gov: Maintenance and comparative studies in obesity (examples NCT06662383, NCT06859268). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06662383 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06859268
FDA UNII / substance registry entry (precisionFDA GSRS). https://precision.fda.gov/ginas/app/ui/substances/NOP2Y096GV
Overview and identifiers (background): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retatrutide
News summary of biomarker effects in development program. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/health-rounds-next-generation-lilly-weight-loss-drug-shows-added-heart-liver-benefits-2024-09-06/
Disclaimer: For research background only. Retatrutide is investigational and not approved for general clinical use.

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