Cagrilintide: Compound Reference for Researchers
A neutral reference sheet for cagrilintide, a long-acting synthetic analogue of the hormone amylin: structure, development status and analytical notes.
At a glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Names | Cagrilintide (INN) |
| Class | Long-acting synthetic amylin analogue; cyclic 37-residue peptide amide with a fatty-diacid lipid |
| Structure | Per the PubChem structure, it contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between two cysteine residues, a C-terminal amide and a fatty diacid attached through a γ-glutamic acid spacer |
| Molecular formula | C194H312N54O59S2 |
| Molecular weight | ≈ 4409 g/mol (average); monoisotopic mass ≈ 4406.25 Da |
| CAS number | 1415456-99-3 |
| Form supplied | Lyophilized powder |
| Regulatory status | Not approved as a stand-alone product. Novo Nordisk announced an FDA submission in December 2025 for a fixed combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide (CagriSema); check the sponsor’s current statements for its status. |
Formula and mass as listed by PubChem. Counter-ions add weight to the powder in the vial, so compare any mass with the laboratory’s own result for the lot you hold.
What it is
Amylin is a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin. Cagrilintide was developed as a long-acting analogue, with sequence changes and a fatty-diacid side chain intended to extend its time in circulation (reference 1). Laboratory studies compare its activity at the amylin and calcitonin receptors with related compounds (reference 3). It is made by chemical synthesis.
Regulatory and evidence context
Cagrilintide has been studied in human clinical trials, alone and in combination with semaglutide (references 2 and 4). As far as we could confirm, no regulator has approved it as a stand-alone product. In December 2025 the sponsor announced an FDA submission for a fixed-dose combination with semaglutide (reference 5); a decision on that product, if one has been made, concerns a regulated medicine and not research-grade material. Nothing on this page is a statement about use outside the laboratory.
How to read the evidence
- Know which material a study used. Clinical findings describe a regulated medicine in a defined population. Laboratory findings describe the compound in experimental systems.
- Animal and cell results are not human results.
- Quality matters. Experimental work depends on the peptide being what the label says, adequately pure, and in a known salt form.
Analytical notes
These points follow from the structure (see our guides to reading a COA and to HPLC, FTIR and mass spectrometry).
- Composition. 37 residues (from the PubChem structure) with one intramolecular disulfide bond (two cysteines), five asparagines and one glutamine. There is no methionine or tryptophan.
- Detection wavelength. Only two phenylalanines and one histidine absorb in the near ultraviolet, so absorbance at 280 nm is negligible. Detection is normally at 214–220 nm. Always note the wavelength with a purity figure.
- Mass check. From the monoisotopic mass of 4406.25 Da, positive-mode electrospray would be expected to show multiply charged ions near m/z 3+ ≈ 1469.76; 4+ ≈ 1102.57; 5+ ≈ 882.26. Compare with the laboratory’s own result.
- Chemistry to watch. Asparagine-rich sequences can undergo deamidation, and a disulfide-bonded peptide can form scrambled or reduced species. A single main HPLC peak does not rule these out; ask what identity test was run.
Handling and storage
General laboratory guidance for lyophilized peptides applies: store cold, dry, sealed and protected from light, let the vial reach room temperature before opening, and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles for any solution. Details are in our guide to research peptide storage and stability.
HLX Peptide documentation
- Product: Cagrilintide, 5 mg.
- Certificate: lot CGL5-1026-01 (tested October 4, 2026 by BT Labs; HPLC purity 99.3%) is published on the certificates of analysis page.
- Our process: Quality & Testing
References
- Kruse T, et al. Development of cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue. J Med Chem. 2021;64(15):11183–11194. PMID 34288673.
- Lau DCW, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2021;398(10317):2160–2172. PMID 34798060.
- Larsen AT, et al. Does receptor balance matter? Comparing the efficacies of the dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists cagrilintide and KBP-336 on metabolic parameters in preclinical models. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;156:113842. PMID 36242844.
- Frias JP, et al. Efficacy and safety of co-administered once-weekly cagrilintide 2.4 mg with once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2023;402(10403):720–730. PMID 37364590.
- Novo Nordisk. Company announcement of the CagriSema submission to the FDA, December 18, 2025 (Novo Nordisk news).
Last reviewed October 17, 2026. All products are sold strictly for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not a drug, food, or cosmetic.