
Cagrilintide Peptide
Long-acting amylin analog acylated peptide. Studied for its interaction with amylin receptors and metabolic signaling pathways in preclinical models.
Quick Facts
| SKU | ACR-CAGRI |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 2196264-78-9 |
| Molecular Formula | C185H276N48O56S3 |
| Molecular Weight | 4,003 g/mol (est.) |
| Sequence | Modified amylin analog |
| Purity | ≥99% |
| Physical Form | Lyophilized Powder |
| Storage | Store at -20°C |
What is Cagrilintide?
Mechanism of Action
Cagrilintide is a long-acting acylated analog of human amylin (IAPP — Islet Amyloid Polypeptide). Its mechanism involves:
- Amylin receptor activation: Cagrilintide binds calcitonin receptor (CTR)/RAMP1 and CTR/RAMP3 heterodimer complexes in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the brainstem — distinct from the hypothalamic targets of GLP-1 agonists
- Appetite suppression: Amylin receptor activation in the area postrema triggers satiety signaling through noradrenergic and dopaminergic projections to the hypothalamic appetite centers
- Gastric emptying delay: Like GLP-1, amylin slows gastric emptying, contributing to post-prandial satiety
- Glucagon suppression: Amylin suppresses post-prandial glucagon secretion, reducing hepatic glucose output
Acylation for once-weekly dosing: Native amylin has a half-life of ~15 minutes and aggregates readily (amyloid formation). Cagrilintide is engineered with specific amino acid substitutions that prevent aggregation and a fatty acid conjugation that enables albumin binding, extending the half-life to ~7 days for once-weekly administration.
Research & Clinical Studies
Phase 2 Trial Results
A Phase 2 trial (Enebo et al., Lancet 2021) in adults with obesity demonstrated cagrilintide monotherapy achieved dose-dependent weight loss: up to -10.8% at the highest dose over 26 weeks. When combined with semaglutide 2.4 mg (CagriSema), the combination produced -15.6% weight loss at 20 weeks — significantly more than either agent alone.
Novo Nordisk is developing CagriSema as a fixed-dose combination product, with Phase 3 REDEFINE trials targeting -25%+ weight reduction. This positions cagrilintide as a key component of next-generation obesity pharmacotherapy.
[1] Enebo LB et al. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of concomitant administration of multiple doses of cagrilintide with semaglutide 2.4 mg. Lancet. 2021;397(10286):1736-1748. PubMed ↗
CagriSema Combination Research
The CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) combination targets two complementary appetite pathways: semaglutide activates GLP-1R in hypothalamic POMC/CART neurons, while cagrilintide activates amylin receptors (CTR/RAMP complexes) in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius. This dual-pathway approach produces synergistic appetite suppression greater than either compound alone, similar to how retatrutide triple agonism outperforms dual agonists.
CagriSema Phase 3 REDEFINE Program
Novo Nordisk is developing cagrilintide + semaglutide (CagriSema) as a fixed-dose combination for obesity. The REDEFINE Phase 3 program includes:
- REDEFINE 1: CagriSema vs placebo in obesity (primary endpoint: % weight change at 68 weeks)
- REDEFINE 2: CagriSema vs semaglutide 2.4 mg in obesity (head-to-head superiority)
- REDEFINE 3: CagriSema in type 2 diabetes
Phase 2 data showed CagriSema achieved -15.6% weight loss at 20 weeks — exceeding semaglutide 2.4 mg alone (-5.8%) by nearly 3-fold at the same timepoint. The target for Phase 3 is -25% or greater weight reduction, which would make CagriSema the most effective approved obesity treatment.
[1] Frias JP et al. Efficacy and safety of co-administered once-weekly cagrilintide 2.4 mg with subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg. Lancet. 2023;402(10403):720-730. PubMed ↗
Why Amylin + GLP-1 Is Synergistic
The amylin and GLP-1 systems are naturally co-activated after meals — amylin is co-secreted with insulin from beta cells, while GLP-1 is released from L-cells in the gut. They target different brainstem nuclei: GLP-1 acts on hypothalamic POMC/CART neurons via NTS projection, while amylin acts directly on area postrema neurons. This anatomical separation creates true synergy — activating both produces greater satiety than maximal activation of either alone.
The synergy is further supported by the observation that pramlintide (short-acting amylin analog) added to GLP-1 agonist therapy produced additional weight loss in clinical studies, even in patients who had plateaued on GLP-1 alone.
Chemical Properties
| Name | Cagrilintide (AM833, NN9838) |
|---|---|
| CAS | 2196264-78-9 |
| Type | Long-acting acylated amylin analog |
| Half-life | ~7 days (enables once-weekly dosing) |
| Developer | Novo Nordisk |
| Target | Amylin receptors (CTR/RAMP1, CTR/RAMP3) |
| Purity | ≥98% HPLC |
Chemical Properties
| Name | Cagrilintide (AM833, NN9838) |
|---|---|
| CAS | 2196264-78-9 |
| Type | Long-acting acylated amylin analog |
| Target Receptors | CTR/RAMP1 and CTR/RAMP3 (amylin receptors) |
| Brain Target | Area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius |
| Half-life | ~7 days (once-weekly dosing) |
| Advantage over pramlintide | Once-weekly vs 3x daily; no aggregation |
| Developer | Novo Nordisk |
| Purity | ≥98% HPLC |
Storage & Stability
Lyophilized: -20°C for 24 months. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 21 days. Cagrilintide is engineered to resist amyloid aggregation — a problem that limits native amylin and pramlintide. The fatty acid conjugation provides additional stability through albumin binding in solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog with amino acid substitutions preventing aggregation and C18 fatty acid acylation for albumin binding. It activates AMY1-3 receptors (CTR+RAMP heterodimers). For research use only.
What is amylin and why target it?
Amylin (IAPP) is co-secreted with insulin from beta cells. It reduces glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and promotes satiety via brainstem area postrema. Native amylin aggregates rapidly, but cagrilintide is engineered for stability and weekly dosing.
How does cagrilintide compare to semaglutide?
Different targets: semaglutide = GLP-1R (hypothalamic appetite centers), cagrilintide = amylin receptors (brainstem satiety). Used together (CagriSema), they produce synergistic weight loss exceeding either alone. Phase 3 REDEFINE trials target -25%+ reduction.
What is the difference between cagrilintide and pramlintide?
Pramlintide (Symlin) is a short-acting amylin analog requiring 3x daily injection. Cagrilintide is long-acting (once weekly) with no aggregation tendency. Pramlintide was first-gen; cagrilintide is next-gen with dramatically improved pharmacokinetics and convenience.
When will CagriSema be available?
CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) is in Phase 3 trials (REDEFINE program) with Novo Nordisk. Regulatory submission is anticipated pending Phase 3 results. As a research peptide, cagrilintide is available now for laboratory investigation.
For laboratory and research use only. Not intended for human or animal consumption. All product information is derived from published preclinical research and does not constitute medical advice or claims.


