Overview
Semaglutide is a synthetic analogue of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone produced in the gut. Its fatty acid moiety allows reversible albumin binding, extending its half-life to roughly one week. The SUSTAIN (diabetes) and STEP (obesity) clinical programmes enrolled tens of thousands of participants.
Mechanism of action
Activates the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying and acting on appetite centres in the central nervous system.
Research areas
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular risk
- Chronic kidney disease