Cagrilintide is a synthetic 37-amino-acid amylin analogue built on a human amylin backbone with acylation for extended plasma half-life. Molecular formula C194H312N54O59S2, molecular weight approximately 4223 g/mol.
Amylin is co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells, and native human amylin has a notorious property: it is amyloidogenic, aggregating into insoluble fibrils. That instability is the central problem any amylin analogue has to solve, and the modifications in cagrilintide exist substantially to address it.
Research context
Published work examines cagrilintide as an agonist at amylin and calcitonin receptors, with endpoints in satiety signalling, gastric emptying and food intake in model systems.
The research interest often lies in combination rather than isolation. Amylin and incretin pathways are mechanistically distinct — amylin signalling acts substantially through the area postrema, while GLP-1 agonism engages a different set of receptors — so the two are studied together on the rationale that they address separate arms of metabolic regulation. Researchers working comparatively may also want TirZama and RetZama on the incretin side.
Note that sources vary on molecular weight depending on salt form. Verify against the batch CoA rather than assuming a published figure.
For a fuller treatment of the sequence, published models and technical data, see the cagrilintide research guide.
Specification
CAS number 1415456-99-3. Supplied as a white lyophilized powder, soluble in sterile or bacteriostatic water. This batch assayed at 99.65% purity, verified by HPLC and LC-MS at ILS Lab, tested 18 June 2026. Endotoxins, heavy metals and sterility all returned Pass. Available in 5mg and 10mg presentations.
Handling
Handling matters more than usual for an amylin analogue. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic or sterile water, introducing the diluent slowly against the vial wall and swirling gently — never shake or vortex. Mechanical agitation promotes aggregation in this class of peptide, and fibril formation is not reversible.
Store lyophilized at −20°C protected from light; refrigerate at 2–8°C once reconstituted and inspect for cloudiness or visible particulates before use.
Ships with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. Cross-check the batch ID printed on your vial against the CoA before use — see the guide to reading a CoA if you are unfamiliar with the format.
Frequently asked questions about cagrilintide
Why does cagrilintide need careful handling?
Because native human amylin is amyloidogenic — it aggregates into insoluble fibrils, and analogues built on that backbone inherit some of the tendency. Mechanical agitation nucleates the process, and once fibrils form the change is not reversible. Never shake or vortex; introduce diluent slowly against the vial wall and swirl. Inspect for cloudiness or particulates before use — visible haze means the material has aggregated.
How does cagrilintide differ from GLP-1 agonists?
Different pathway entirely. Cagrilintide acts at amylin and calcitonin receptors, with amylin signalling operating substantially through the area postrema. GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide engage a different receptor and a different route. That mechanistic separation is why the two classes are studied in combination — they address distinct arms of metabolic regulation rather than duplicating one another.
Cagrilintide or eloralintide?
Selectivity. Cagrilintide engages both amylin and calcitonin receptors; eloralintide is selective for amylin receptors over calcitonin. Since amylin receptors are heterodimers built on the calcitonin receptor core, achieving that selectivity is pharmacologically difficult — and for studies isolating amylin signalling specifically, dual engagement is a confound. Cagrilintide has the larger literature; eloralintide is the more selective tool.
What testing does this batch carry?
This batch assayed at 99.65% purity by HPLC with identity confirmed by LC-MS at ILS Lab, tested 18 June 2026. Endotoxins, heavy metals and sterility each returned Pass. That is a fuller panel than purity alone — worth checking on any Certificate of Analysis, since a purity figure says nothing about endotoxin load, which matters in cell-based work.
Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for use in diagnostic procedures, and not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
