What Is Cagrilintide? A Research Overview

Cagrilintide is an investigational long-acting amylin analog used as a reference compound in laboratory metabolic research, where it is often studied alongside the GLP-1 analog semaglutide in a combination known as CagriSema. It is not an approved drug and has not been authorized by the FDA for any use. All products referenced here are sold strictly for research use only (RUO) and are not intended for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, or treatment.

Quick facts

• Class: long-acting amylin analog (amylin/calcitonin receptor agonist)
• Status: investigational — not FDA-approved
• Research focus: metabolic research
• Form: lyophilized powder, ≥99% HPLC purity, third-party tested

What is Cagrilintide?

Cagrilintide is a synthetic peptide analog of human amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin. Native amylin is chemically unstable and prone to forming amyloid fibrils, which makes it difficult to study. Cagrilintide was engineered as a stabilized, lipidated analog with a substantially longer duration of action than earlier amylin-based compounds — a property that has made it a useful tool compound for laboratory and clinical metabolic research [1]. In research settings it is frequently examined both on its own and in combination with semaglutide.

What does the research show?

Cagrilintide remains investigational, and published findings come from preclinical models and clinical trials — not from approved therapeutic use. In a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled phase 2 trial in adults with type 2 diabetes, investigators evaluated once-weekly cagrilintide co-administered with once-weekly semaglutide (the combination studied as “CagriSema”) against each component alone over 32 weeks [2]. The trial characterized glycemic and body-weight endpoints across the study arms and reported on tolerability and safety signals in the research population. These are research outcomes observed under controlled clinical-trial conditions; they do not constitute approved indications and are not benefit claims for any reader.

Mechanisms studied in the lab

• Amylin receptor signaling: preclinical work indicates cagrilintide acts through amylin receptors AMY1R and AMY3R, assembled from the calcitonin receptor together with receptor-activity-modifying proteins [3].
• Hindbrain activity: in animal models, cagrilintide activated neurons in hindbrain regions (area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract) in a receptor-subtype-dependent manner [3].
• Calcitonin-family overlap: because amylin and calcitonin receptors share the calcitonin receptor core, researchers compare cagrilintide’s signaling profile with related calcitonin-family agonists to map receptor selectivity.

Research status and safety

Cagrilintide is investigational and has not been approved by the FDA or any comparable regulatory authority for human use. Material offered for research is intended for research use only (RUO): in vitro and laboratory investigation by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, supplement, or medical product, and it must not be used for human or veterinary diagnosis, treatment, or consumption.

Handling

Cagrilintide is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and should be stored as directed on the product page. Before use it is typically reconstituted; see our guide on how to reconstitute a research peptide. To view specifications and availability, see Cagrilintide — research-grade, ≥99% pure. For related compounds, browse our GLP research peptides.

FAQ

What is CagriSema? CagriSema is the research shorthand for the combination of cagrilintide (an amylin analog) and semaglutide (a GLP-1 analog), studied together in metabolic clinical trials. It is investigational and not FDA-approved.

Is cagrilintide approved or available as a medicine? No. It is investigational and has not been approved for human use. It is offered only as a research-use-only reference compound.

How is cagrilintide different from pramlintide? Both are amylin-based peptides, but cagrilintide was engineered for greater stability and a longer duration of action, which is why it is used as a long-acting amylin tool compound in research.

References

1. Kruse T, et al. Development of Cagrilintide, a Long-Acting Amylin Analogue. J Med Chem. 2021.
2. Frias JP, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide with once-weekly semaglutide in type 2 diabetes: a phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2023.
3. Carvas AO, et al. Cagrilintide acts through brain amylin receptors 1 and 3. eBioMedicine. 2025.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Cagrilintide is investigational and not FDA-approved. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.