MOTS-c
ObservationalMitochondrial-derived peptide c
An exercise-responsive mitochondrial peptide proposed to regulate metabolic homeostasis through AMPK activation and folate/methionine one-carbon metabolism, improving insulin sensitivity in mice. Human data are correlative: circulating levels rise with acute and chronic exercise, but no randomised trials of administered MOTS-c have been published.
MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
Not approved by FDA or EMA. No completed human interventional trials of exogenous MOTS-c.
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Tesamorelin
Approved drugEgrifta · TH9507
A stabilised GHRH analogue that raises endogenous growth hormone and IGF-1 and reduces visceral adipose tissue, demonstrated across phase 3 randomised trials in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is the best-evidenced growth hormone-axis peptide discussed in longevity circles, though its trial population is specific.
Modified GHRH(1-44) analogue
FDA-approved in 2010 (Egrifta) to reduce excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy; not approved in the EU. Off-label longevity use is not supported by approval data.
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Semaglutide
Approved drugOzempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying and acts on hypothalamic appetite circuits. Efficacy for glycaemic control and weight loss is established across the large STEP and SUSTAIN phase 3 programmes, making it the strongest evidence base in this index.
GLP-1(7-37) analogue, Aib8, C18 diacid linker
FDA- and EMA-approved for type 2 diabetes and, at higher dose, chronic weight management. Prescription-only; ageing-related use beyond the approved indications remains under study.
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Liraglutide
Approved drugNN2211 · Victoza · Saxenda
A GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite through hypothalamic signalling. Supported by large randomised outcome trials.
31-residue GLP-1 analogue (Arg34Lys, C16 palmitoyl acylation)
FDA approved as Victoza (2010, type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (2014, weight management); EMA approved 2009. Not prohibited in sport.
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Tirzepatide
Approved drugLY3298176 · Mounjaro · Zepbound
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist producing larger weight and glycaemic effects than selective GLP-1 agonists in head-to-head trials. One of the most heavily trialled peptides in this index.
39-residue dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist (C20 fatty-diacid conjugate)
FDA approved as Mounjaro (2022, type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (2023, obesity); EMA approved. Not prohibited in sport.
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Retatrutide
Human RCTLY3437943
A triple hormone receptor agonist combining incretin-driven satiety with glucagon-mediated energy expenditure. Phase 2 trials reported the largest weight reductions yet seen for this drug class.
≈39-residue triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist (fatty-acid acylated)
Investigational only; in late-stage clinical development and not approved by FDA or EMA.
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Glucagon
Approved drugGlucaGen · Baqsimi · Gvoke
The counter-regulatory hormone to insulin, raising blood glucose through hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Its receptor is now also a deliberate target in next-generation obesity peptides.
HSQGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNT
FDA and EMA approved in injectable and nasal formulations for severe hypoglycaemia.
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AOD-9604
Human trials (limited)hGH fragment 176-191 · Tyr-hGH fragment
A short growth-hormone fragment designed to keep GH's fat-mobilising effect without its growth or insulin-desensitising effects. Rodent data are consistent; the human obesity programme did not show benefit over placebo.
YLRIVQCRSVEGSCGF (disulfide-cyclised, N-terminal Tyr added)
Failed to beat placebo in a Phase IIb obesity trial and was never approved. Prohibited in sport (WADA S2).
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Exenatide
Approved drugExendin-4 · Byetta · Bydureon
The first GLP-1 receptor agonist, a lizard-venom peptide that boosts glucose-dependent insulin release, suppresses glucagon and slows gastric emptying. It is the ancestor of liraglutide and semaglutide.
HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2
FDA-approved 2005 (Byetta) and 2012 (Bydureon); EMA-approved. Not prohibited in sport.
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Pramlintide
Approved drugSymlin · amylin analogue
A non-aggregating analogue of amylin, the hormone co-secreted with insulin. Added to mealtime insulin it lowers post-meal glucose swings with modest weight benefit.
KCNTATCATQRLANFLVHSSNNFGPILPPTNVGSNTY
FDA-approved 2005 for type 1 and type 2 diabetes; withdrawn from the EU market. Not prohibited in sport.
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Setmelanotide
Approved drugImcivree · RM-493
An MC4R agonist for rare genetic forms of severe obesity, where it produces large sustained weight loss. A 2026 randomised trial extended the evidence to acquired hypothalamic obesity.
Cyclic melanocortin octapeptide (proprietary cyclisation)
FDA-approved 2020 and EMA-approved for obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency, later extended to Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
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Cagrilintide
Human RCTCagriSema component · long-acting amylin analogue
A weekly amylin analogue that adds a second satiety pathway on top of GLP-1 agonism. Combined with semaglutide it produced some of the largest weight-loss figures reported in phase 3 obesity trials.
Lipidated amylin analogue (proprietary substitutions)
Not independently approved as of 2026; the CagriSema combination is under regulatory review.
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Survodutide
Human RCTBI 456906
A dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist aiming to burn more energy as well as suppress appetite. It has strong phase 2 and 3 weight-loss data plus phase 2 evidence in fatty liver disease with fibrosis.
Lipidated glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist (sequence not public)
Investigational; not yet FDA/EMA approved. Phase 3 obesity results published 2026.
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Mazdutide
Human RCTIBI362 · LY3305677
A dual incretin/glucagon agonist trialled largely in Chinese populations, with phase 3 evidence for both weight loss and glycaemic control.
GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist peptide (sequence not public)
Developed primarily in China; under review or approved there, not FDA/EMA approved.
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Adropin
Animal / in-vitro onlyENHO gene product · Energy Homeostasis Associated protein
Described in 2008 as a secreted factor linking diet to energy homeostasis, adropin improves insulin sensitivity and endothelial nitric-oxide production in rodent models. Human work is almost entirely correlational serum measurement; no dosing trials exist and the receptor remains unsettled.
Secreted fragment of the ENHO precursor (UniProt Q9BXX3); circulating form not fully standardised
No approved drug form exists. Research compound only.
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Irisin
Animal / in-vitro onlyFNDC5 cleavage product
Irisin was introduced in 2012 as an exercise-induced myokine that browns white fat in mice. Human circulating-irisin literature is considered unreliable by much of the field because many commercial ELISA kits cross-react non-specifically, so animal and cell data are far stronger than the human association work.
112-residue ectodomain of FNDC5 (UniProt Q86TQ4, residues 29–140)
Not an approved drug. Widely sold as an assay target, not a therapeutic.
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