Exenatide
Also known as: exendin-4 · AC2993
A 39-residue peptide originally identified in the venom of the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, which acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Historically important as the first incretin mimetic to reach the clinic.
Development status: Approved as a medicine in one or more jurisdictions
Identifiers and molecular characteristics
- CAS number
- Not verified
- Molecular formula
- Not verified
- Molecular mass
- Not verified
- Amino-acid sequence
- Not verified
- PubChem CID
- Not verified
Identifiers are published only with a source and a check date. Fields marked “not verified” have not yet been confirmed against a primary source — we show the gap rather than an unchecked figure. Always confirm against the certificate of analysis for the specific lot you hold.
Biological targets
- GLP-1 receptor
Mechanism of action
Exendin-4 shares roughly half its sequence with human GLP-1 but lacks the alanine at position 2 that makes GLP-1 a DPP-4 substrate, giving it natural resistance to that degradation pathway.
Research evidence and its limits
Approved medicine with a long clinical record and an extensive pharmacology literature.
Safety considerations
Approved product labelling is the authoritative source. Supplied and discussed here strictly as a laboratory research material. Not a medicine, not for human or veterinary administration, and nothing on this page should be read as a dosing, treatment or safety recommendation.
Analytical identification and quality testing
A well-characterised 39-mer; sequence confirmation by peptide mapping is routine.
Regulatory status
Approved in multiple jurisdictions.
Frequently asked questions
Is exenatide a natural peptide or a synthetic analogue?
The sequence occurs naturally in Gila monster venom. The material used pharmaceutically is manufactured synthetically, but it is the natural sequence rather than an engineered analogue — which is why it is classified here as a peptide rather than a peptide analogue.
References
Related compounds
Liraglutide
A fatty-acylated GLP-1 analogue with a once-daily profile, approved as a medicine in multiple jurisdictions and extensively characterised in the literature.
Semaglutide
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, structurally derived from human GLP-1 with modifications that resist enzymatic degradation and extend circulating half-life. Approved as a medicine in multiple jurisdictions.
Entry last reviewed 2026-10-11. Regulatory status and scientific understanding change; verify against primary sources before relying on anything here.