Semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Research overview
A GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide widely studied in models of glycemic control and appetite regulation.
Descriptions reference published research areas for laboratory context only and are not claims of efficacy, safety, or intended use in humans or animals.
- Price
- $245 CAD
- Purity
- ≥99.4% (HPLC)
- Presentation
- 5 mg lyophilized vial
Order / inquire about Semaglutide
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For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use
Semaglutide is a chemical reference material sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or natural health product; it has not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada; and it must never be ingested, injected, or applied to humans or animals. Sold in Canada only, to purchasers 18+. See our Research Use Policy.
Research encyclopedia
Everything the literature has studied.
For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. The content below summarizes published research context only. It is not medical advice, makes no therapeutic claims, and describes no intended use in humans or animals. These materials have not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada.
What it is
Long-acting synthetic analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), studied for glycemic control and body-weight management. A fatty-acid (C18 diacid) side chain enables albumin binding and once-weekly dosing.
Mechanism of action
Activates GLP-1 receptors: stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and acts on hypothalamic satiety centers to reduce appetite. Fatty-acid derivatization enables albumin binding and weekly dosing.
Research areas
- Glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
- Body-weight regulation and satiety
- Cardiovascular outcomes (SUSTAIN-6, SELECT)
- Renal function
Studied effects in research models
- Reduction of HbA1c and fasting glucose
- Weight loss and reduction of systolic blood pressure
- Reduction of major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients (HR ~0.74)
Effects listed describe observations reported in laboratory or animal research models only — not outcomes claimed for humans or animals.
Biomarkers tracked in related research
Discovery & background
Developed by Novo Nordisk and FDA-approved in 2017 (Ozempic), building on pioneering work on native GLP-1 by Jens Juul Holst and colleagues in the 1980s. Structural engineering (Aib8 for DPP-IV resistance and a fatty-diacid albumin-binding linker) produced a long-acting analog; the SELECT trial later examined cardiovascular outcomes.
Considerations & limitations
Research use only in this context. The approved drug is not authorized by Health Canada as a research reagent; unapproved compounded/research 'semaglutide' varies in identity and purity. GI effects are common; risk signals include pancreatitis and biliary disease. Rodent studies showed thyroid C-cell tumors — contraindicated with personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. Delayed gastric emptying can alter oral-drug absorption; hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin/sulfonylureas. Require COA with HPLC/MS, net peptide content, and endotoxin testing.
References
- [1]Marso et al., 2016 (SUSTAIN-6, CV outcomes) — N Engl J Med; PMID: 27633186
- [2]Wilding et al., 2021 (STEP 1, weight management) — N Engl J Med; PMID: 33567185
- [3]Lincoff et al., 2023 (SELECT, CV outcomes) — N Engl J Med; PMID: 37952131
- [4]Knudsen & Lau, 2019 (discovery/pharmacology of GLP-1 analogs) — Front Endocrinol; PMID: 31031702