Retatrutide

What is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide engineered as a single-molecule triple agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and the glucagon receptor (GCGR). The sequence is based on native GIP with substitutions that confer activity at all three receptors, Aib residues for protease resistance, and a C20 fatty diacid side chain that binds albumin to extend the circulating half-life to around six days in published studies.

Retatrutide is an investigational compound in late-stage clinical development and has not been licensed as a medicine. GenoPept supplies retatrutide as a research peptide for UK laboratories exploring multi-receptor incretin pharmacology. It is for in-vitro research use only.

Retatrutide research applications

Retatrutide is one of the most actively studied compounds in metabolic research. The areas below summarise how it is used in laboratory and animal models.

Triple-receptor pharmacology

Retatrutide is used in cAMP and receptor-binding assays on GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor-expressing cells to characterise relative potency, receptor selectivity and the balance of signalling across the three targets.

Energy expenditure and adiposity

Diet-induced obesity models are used to investigate the compound’s combined effects on food intake and energy expenditure, with particular interest in whether glucagon receptor agonism raises thermogenesis and lipid oxidation beyond what dual agonists achieve.

Hepatic fat and steatohepatitis

Because glucagon receptor signalling promotes hepatic lipid oxidation, retatrutide has been investigated in models of fatty liver and steatohepatitis, measuring liver triglyceride content, fibrosis markers and hepatocyte gene expression.

Glucose metabolism and islet function

Research explores how retatrutide balances the glucose-lowering actions of GIP and GLP-1 receptor activation against the glucose-raising potential of glucagon receptor agonism, using islet preparations and rodent glucose tolerance models.

Comparative incretin studies

Retatrutide is frequently run alongside semaglutide and tirzepatide so that the incremental contribution of each receptor to body weight, liver and metabolic outcomes can be isolated.

Mechanism of action (preclinical)

Retatrutide activates three class B G-protein-coupled receptors: the GIP receptor, the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor. Published in-vitro data indicate that it is most potent at the GIP receptor, with somewhat lower activity at the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors relative to their native ligands.

GIP and GLP-1 receptor activation raise cAMP in beta cells and central appetite circuits, reducing food intake and supporting glucose-dependent insulin release. Glucagon receptor activation in hepatocytes and adipose tissue increases lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation and energy expenditure in preclinical models, which is the proposed reason retatrutide produces larger body-weight effects than dual agonists in animal studies.

Retatrutide product specifications

Available sizes

Retatrutide is available in the following vial sizes:

• 5mg vial
• 10mg vial
• 15mg vial
• 20mg vial
• 30mg vial
• 40mg vial
• 50mg vial
• 60mg vial
• 100mg vial

Laboratories that need larger quantities can order in bulk boxes of 10 vials, which save 20–50% against single-vial pricing. Retail orders also receive automatic discounts at £300, £500 and £1,000, and delivery is free on UK orders of £200 or more.

Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)

Unopened Retatrutide vials should be stored at −20 °C for long-term storage, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, and protected from light. Allow the vial to reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the lyophilised cake.

To reconstitute for in-vitro work, add bacteriostatic water or another sterile diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial, then swirl gently until the powder dissolves. Do not shake, as agitation can damage large acylated peptides. Reconstituted solution should be kept at 2–8 °C and used within the period specified in the laboratory’s own protocol. See our guides on how to reconstitute research peptides and how to store research peptides for step-by-step handling notes.

Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

Use the “View Certificate of Analysis” button on this page to open the current batch COA, or browse the full COA library. Our article on what a Certificate of Analysis shows explains how to read the chromatogram and mass spectrum.

Related research compounds

• Tirzepatide: the dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that retatrutide builds upon.
• Semaglutide: the selective GLP-1 receptor agonist reference compound.
• Survodutide: a glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist for isolating glucagon receptor contributions.
• Retatrutide + Cagrilintide Blend: for combined triple-agonist and amylin pathway research.

Retatrutide frequently asked questions

What is retatrutide used for in research?

Retatrutide is used in laboratories as a triple GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist tool compound. Preclinical research applies it to receptor pharmacology, diet-induced obesity models, energy expenditure studies, fatty liver models and comparative work against single and dual incretin agonists. It is supplied for these in-vitro and animal-model research uses only, never for human use.

How is retatrutide supplied and what purity can I expect?

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

How should retatrutide be stored?

Store unopened vials at minus 20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage, or at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for short periods, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile diluent, keep the solution refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and use it within the period defined by your laboratory’s protocol.

Is retatrutide from GenoPept for human use?

No. This product is supplied by GenoPept strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is an investigational compound, not a licensed medicine, and must not be used for human or veterinary purposes, diagnosis or treatment. Purchasers are responsible for complying with UK research use only requirements and their own institutional safety policies.

How does retatrutide differ from tirzepatide and semaglutide?

Retatrutide activates three receptors (GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon), tirzepatide activates two (GIP and GLP-1) and semaglutide activates only the GLP-1 receptor. The added glucagon receptor activity is associated with higher energy expenditure and hepatic fat oxidation in preclinical models. Our semaglutide vs tirzepatide vs retatrutide guide sets out the differences in detail.

Research use only. Retatrutide is supplied by GenoPept strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not a medicine, is not for human or veterinary use, and is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Read our research use only policy and UK legal guide before ordering.