All information below describes the compound's chemical identity, laboratory handling, and the published research literature. It describes molecular targets and results in laboratory and animal models only — not effects in humans — and is not evidence of any human benefit.
What Is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic amylin analogue — a peptide belonging to the amylin (islet amyloid polypeptide) class. It is prepared by fatty-acid acylation of a modified peptide backbone, a structural feature noted in the literature as the basis for its extended plasma half-life relative to native amylin. It has been characterized as a selective agonist at amylin and calcitonin receptor systems. Cagrilintide is assigned CAS 2381296-22-4 with a reported molecular weight of approximately 4176 g/mol.
It is supplied as a reference compound for in vitro and animal research use only. The sections below summarize its chemical identity, laboratory handling, the molecular targets and model systems examined in the published literature, and the primary references — without describing outcomes, efficacy, or effects in humans.
Research Targets & Pathways
Published literature has examined Cagrilintide in relation to several molecular systems. These are pathway associations reported in laboratory and preclinical models; refer to the cited studies for methods and findings.
- Amylin receptors (AMY1 / AMY2 / AMY3) — examined in relation to amylin receptor complexes formed by the calcitonin receptor with receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs).
- Calcitonin receptor (CTR) — examined in relation to dual receptor activation across amylin and calcitonin receptor systems.
- cAMP signaling — examined in cAMP accumulation and HTRF assay systems downstream of receptor activation.
- Hypothalamic appetite-signaling pathways — examined in relation to central appetite-regulatory circuits, including area postrema signaling.
- Glycemic-regulation pathways — examined in relation to pancreatic beta-cell signaling and glucose homeostasis.
- Gastric motility signaling — examined in relation to gastric-emptying pathways.
Model Systems Studied
Cagrilintide has been used as a test compound across a range of published preclinical model systems and in vitro assays. Refer to the cited literature for study designs, endpoints, and findings.
- In vitro receptor pharmacology — AMY1/2/3 and CTR receptor-binding and cAMP accumulation (HTRF) assay systems.
- Structural characterization — crystallographic and binding-assay analysis of cagrilintide interactions at amylin and calcitonin receptor complexes.
- Pancreatic beta-cell signaling — cell-based beta-cell signaling assay systems.
- Rodent metabolic models — preclinical amylin-pathway model systems examining energy homeostasis.
- Combination preclinical contexts — co-agonist study designs alongside GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Note: a substantial portion of the cagrilintide literature consists of investigational clinical studies; findings in those settings are investigational and are not reflective of an approved therapy.
Molecular & Technical Profile
MW ~4176 g/mol | CAS 2381296-22-4 | Long-acting acylated amylin analogue
Storage, Reconstitution & Working Concentrations
Storage, reconstitution, and working-concentration values are general laboratory guidance for in vitro and animal research; always confirm against the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Current Research Status
As of the time of this writing, Cagrilintide has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any human therapeutic use, and it remains an investigational compound in clinical research. The available reference base spans in vitro receptor pharmacology, structural characterization, and preclinical model systems, alongside investigational clinical studies whose findings are not established for any approved indication. Ongoing research continues to characterize the compound's receptor-level mechanistic profile and its interactions across amylin and calcitonin receptor systems.
Research FAQ
Is Cagrilintide approved for human use?
No. Cagrilintide has not been approved by the FDA for any human therapeutic use and remains an investigational compound in clinical research. It is supplied for laboratory research use only — not for human consumption.
What is Cagrilintide's molecular formula and sequence?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting synthetic amylin analogue produced by fatty-acid acylation of a modified peptide backbone. Its full amino-acid sequence and molecular formula are not disclosed in the supplied reference data; the reported molecular weight is ~4176 g/mol and the CAS number is 2381296-22-4.
How is Cagrilintide stored and reconstituted?
Store lyophilized at −20°C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute in bacteriostatic or sterile water or sterile PBS (pH 7.4); store the reconstituted solution at 2–8°C for up to ~28 days and avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
What targets and model systems has Cagrilintide been studied in?
It has been characterized in relation to amylin (AMY1/2/3) and calcitonin (CTR) receptor systems and cAMP signaling, and examined in relation to hypothalamic appetite-signaling and glycemic-regulation pathways. Model systems include in vitro receptor-binding and cAMP assays, pancreatic beta-cell signaling assays, rodent metabolic models, and combination contexts alongside GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Selected References
- Structural and mechanistic insights into dual activation of cagrilintide in amylin and calcitonin receptors — Acta Pharmacol Sin, 2026 — Crystallographic and binding assay characterization of cagrilintide interactions at AMYR and CTR receptor complexes.
- Long-acting amylin-related peptides as therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes — Peptides, 2026 — Comparative structural review of long-acting amylin analogue design, receptor selectivity profiles, and half-life engineering strategies.
- Molecular engineering of designer diabetes therapeutics — J Control Release, 2026 — Review of molecular scaffolding and fatty-acid conjugation approaches used to extend half-life of amylin-class peptide therapeutics.
- Amylin as a Future Obesity Treatment — J Obes Metab Syndr, 2021 — Foundational review summarizing amylin receptor biology, native peptide limitations, and rationale for long-acting analogue development.
- Amylin Revisited: A 5-Year Perspective on Its Emerging Role in the Treatment of Diabesity — J Obes Metab Syndr, 2026 — Narrative review of amylin pathway research progress, receptor subtype biology, and emerging co-agonist paradigms.
- Amylin role in glucose homeostasis and beta-cell function: a robust justification — Minerva Endocrinol (Torino), 2026 — Review of amylin signaling in hypothalamic satiety circuits, area postrema activation, and downstream effects on meal termination.
- Obesity pharmacotherapy reimagined: The era of multi-receptor agonists and next-generation metabolic modulators, perspectives and controversies — Metabol Open, 2026 — Mechanistic review comparing amylin receptor, GLP-1 receptor, and dual-agonist approaches with discussion of central satiety pathway overlap.
- Eloralintide, a selective, long-acting amylin receptor agonist for treatment of obesity: Phase 1 proof of concept — Diabetes Obes Metab, 2026 — Phase 1 dose-escalation trial providing comparative mechanistic context for cagrilintide.
- Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management — Phase 2 trial — Lancet, 2021 — Dose-escalation Phase 2 trial with subcutaneous once-weekly cagrilintide vs. placebo.
- CagriSema combined Phase 2 results in type 2 diabetes — Lancet, 2023 — Randomized Phase 2 trial of cagrilintide plus semaglutide vs. each monotherapy.