Tirzepatide

What Is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide (CAS 2023788-19-2; also known as LY3298176) is a 39-amino acid synthetic peptide engineered as a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. Structurally it carries a C-20 fatty diacid conjugated via a γGlu-2xOEG linker to Lys20, which mediates albumin binding and extends the plasma half-life to approximately 5 days. CertaPeptides supplies tirzepatide in lyophilized powder form from 500mcg through 100mg per vial.

CAS: 2023788-19-2. Alternate identifier: LY3298176. Molecular weight: 4813.5 g/mol. Receptor-engagement profile: GIP-R and GLP-1R with imbalanced pharmacology favouring GIP-R.

Mechanism and Research Context

Tirzepatide engages two incretin receptors, GIP-R and GLP-1R, with an imbalanced profile favouring GIP-R. In receptor and cell-based assays it shows biased agonism at GLP-1R (favouring cAMP signalling over β-arrestin recruitment) while binding GIP-R with native-GIP-like affinity. Its C-20 fatty-diacid modification mediates albumin binding and extends plasma half-life, making it a widely used long-acting dual-agonist reference compound in incretin pharmacology research. Preclinical and in-vitro studies have investigated its receptor signalling and rodent metabolic models (glucose disposal in white adipose tissue, insulin secretion); these are reported here for research context only.

Within the Incretin Class — How Tirzepatide Differs

Tirzepatide is studied alongside two other research peptides in the same metabolic class: semaglutide (single GLP-1R agonist) and retatrutide (triple GIP/GLP-1/GCG agonist). The three differ structurally and mechanistically in ways that shape how each compound is studied:

Tirzepatide's distinguishing feature is the imbalanced dual agonism: it binds GIP-R with native-GIP-like affinity while showing biased agonism at GLP-1R. Preclinical research attributes a substantial portion of its insulin-sensitisation activity to the GIP-R arm, mediated through enhanced glucose disposal in white adipose tissue. This is the mechanistic basis frequently examined when comparing dual-agonist and single-agonist incretin pharmacology in research models. Researchers comparing the three frequently reference the tirzepatide dual-agonist mechanism overview and the GLP-1 class comparison overview.

Research Areas Where Tirzepatide Is Studied

• Dual-incretin receptor pharmacology and comparative binding assays
• Biased agonism at GLP-1R (cAMP vs β-arrestin pathway recruitment)
• Adipose-tissue glucose disposal mediated by GIP-R engagement
• Comparisons against semaglutide and retatrutide in research settings
• Long-acting peptide formulation and stability research

Specifications

Storage

Lyophilized powder: −20°C for long-term storage. 2–8°C for short-term use before reconstitution.

Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 4 weeks. Do not freeze after reconstitution.

Quality Assurance

• Shipped to a ≥98% supplier batch specification
• Selected lots are independently tested by Janoshik Analytical (HPLC + mass spectrometry; 99.3% average purity across published reports), confirming molecular identity
• Reports searchable by batch code at certapeptides.com/verify — view reports
• EU-based quality control under CERTALAB S.R.L.

Important Notice — Research Use Only

Tirzepatide is supplied by CertaPeptides strictly as a laboratory research compound. This product is not a drug, not a dietary supplement, not a cosmetic, and not approved by the FDA, EMA, or any other regulatory authority for over-the-counter sale for human or veterinary use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate any disease or condition. For laboratory research purposes only. Not for human consumption.