The GLP-1 research landscape: from semaglutide to triple agonists

No peptide class is studied more intensely right now than the GLP-1 receptor agonists. Understanding the family — where it started, how it’s branched, and what’s next — is the single most useful bit of context for anyone following peptide science.

What “GLP-1” means

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is an incretin — a gut hormone. A “GLP-1 receptor agonist” is a molecule engineered to activate that same receptor while resisting the rapid breakdown natural GLP-1 undergoes, which is what makes long-acting analogues possible.

The first wave: single agonists

Semaglutide is the best-known example, marketed as Ozempic (2017), the oral Rybelsus (2019) and Wegovy (2021). It established that a once-weekly peptide analogue could be practical at scale.

The second wave: dual agonists

Tirzepatide added a second target — it activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors — and reached the market as Mounjaro (2022) and Zepbound (2023). Hitting two incretin pathways at once opened up the “multi-agonist” design idea that now dominates the pipeline.

The third wave: oral and triple agonists

• Orforglipron — a small-molecule oral GLP-1 agonist, approved in 2026 as the first of its kind not requiring injection.
• Retatrutide — a triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist in late-stage trials, widely watched for a 2027-era decision.
• CagriSema and survodutide — combination and dual-agonist approaches also advancing through the pipeline.

For the full regulatory timeline, see What the FDA is expected to approve in 2026–2027.

Watch: how GLP-1 agonists work

This short third-party animation walks through the receptor mechanism:

Watch: GLP-1 mechanism of action

Why it matters for research

As the class expands, so does laboratory interest in its analogues — driving demand for well-characterised reference material. Whichever compound you’re working with, the number that matters is on the certificate: purity and identity, verified per batch.