Tirzepatide

What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide that acts as a dual agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. Its backbone is derived from native GIP, modified with two 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues for protease resistance and a C20 fatty diacid moiety attached at lysine 20 that binds albumin and extends the half-life to around five days in published pharmacokinetic studies.

Tirzepatide is the peptide studied in licensed medicines and is often described as a twincretin because it engages both incretin receptors with a single molecule. GenoPept supplies tirzepatide as a research peptide for UK laboratories that need a well-characterised dual-incretin tool compound. It is for in-vitro research use only and is not a medicine.

Tirzepatide research applications

Tirzepatide appears in a rapidly growing body of preclinical literature. The research areas below describe how the compound is studied in cell and animal models, not effects in people.

Dual-incretin receptor pharmacology

Tirzepatide is used in receptor-binding and cAMP signalling assays to compare GIP and GLP-1 receptor potency, biased agonism and receptor internalisation, and to understand how its imbalanced affinity for the two receptors shapes downstream signalling.

Glucose homeostasis and islet biology

In rodent islets and beta-cell lines, tirzepatide has been investigated for glucose-dependent insulin secretion, beta-cell survival and the contribution of GIP receptor signalling to islet function.

Adipose tissue and energy expenditure

Diet-induced obesity models are used to study the compound’s effects on food intake, body composition, adipocyte lipid handling and energy expenditure, with GIP receptor knockout animals used to dissect receptor contributions.

Liver and cardiometabolic models

Preclinical research explores the compound in models of hepatic steatosis, dyslipidaemia and cardiac remodelling, measuring liver fat, lipoprotein profiles and inflammatory markers.

Mechanism of action (preclinical)

Tirzepatide binds the GIP receptor with affinity comparable to native GIP and the GLP-1 receptor with lower affinity than native GLP-1. Both are class B G-protein-coupled receptors coupled to Gs, so activation raises intracellular cAMP and drives protein kinase A signalling in beta cells, adipocytes and neurons.

Published work reports that tirzepatide shows biased signalling at the GLP-1 receptor, favouring cAMP production over beta-arrestin recruitment, which may reduce receptor desensitisation. GIP receptor engagement in adipose tissue and the brain is thought to contribute additively to the effects on energy balance observed in preclinical models.

Tirzepatide product specifications

Available sizes

Tirzepatide is available in the following vial sizes:

• 5mg vial
• 10mg vial
• 15mg vial
• 20mg vial
• 30mg vial
• 40mg vial
• 50mg vial
• 60mg vial
• 70mg vial
• 80mg vial
• 90mg vial
• 100mg vial
• 120mg 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 Tirzepatide 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

• Semaglutide: the selective GLP-1 receptor agonist used as the standard comparator for tirzepatide.
• Retatrutide: adds glucagon receptor agonism for triple-agonist research.
• Mazdutide: an oxyntomodulin-derived GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist for alternative dual-receptor studies.
• Cagrilintide: a long-acting amylin analogue for co-investigation with incretin peptides.

Tirzepatide frequently asked questions

What is tirzepatide used for in research?

Tirzepatide is used in laboratories as a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tool compound. Preclinical research applies it to receptor pharmacology assays, islet and beta-cell studies, diet-induced obesity models, fatty liver models and cardiometabolic work. It is supplied for these in-vitro and animal-model research purposes only and never for human use.

How is tirzepatide 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 tirzepatide be stored?

Keep unopened vials at minus 20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage or at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for short-term use, always protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile diluent, store the solution at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and use it within the period set out in your laboratory protocol.

Is tirzepatide from GenoPept for human use?

No. This product is supplied by GenoPept strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not a medicine, is not manufactured for administration, and must not be used for human or veterinary purposes, diagnosis or treatment. Buyers must handle it in line with UK research use only requirements and their institutional policies.

What is the difference between tirzepatide and retatrutide?

Tirzepatide is a dual agonist of the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while retatrutide is a triple agonist that also activates the glucagon receptor. Both are 39-amino-acid acylated peptides with similar molecular weights. Researchers compare them to study whether adding glucagon receptor signalling changes energy expenditure and liver fat outcomes in preclinical models. Read our comparison guide for more detail.

Research use only. Tirzepatide 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.