For Research Purposes Only. This page summarizes published preclinical and clinical research. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a recommendation for human use.
Semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist. FDA-approved as Ozempic and Wegovy. Among the most extensively studied metabolic compounds in modern pharmacology.
- Class
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- FDA Approvals
- Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
- Trial Phase
- Phase IV (post-market)
- Peak Trial Weight Loss
- 14.9% (STEP-1, 68 wks)
01 · Overview
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist — a class of compounds that mimic the action of GLP-1, an incretin hormone secreted by intestinal L-cells in response to food intake. GLP-1 receptor activation produces multiple coordinated metabolic effects: it stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, suppresses glucagon release from alpha cells, slows gastric emptying (reducing post-meal glucose excursions), and activates satiety centers in the hypothalamus via the vagus nerve to reduce appetite. The combination of these mechanisms makes GLP-1 agonists uniquely effective for both glycemic control and weight management.
Semaglutide was originally developed by Novo Nordisk as a once-weekly alternative to daily GLP-1 injections, achieved through a molecular modification that substantially extends its plasma half-life to approximately 7 days. Early clinical development focused on type 2 diabetes, but the STEP trial program (2019–2021) demonstrated unprecedented weight loss effects at higher doses — prompting regulatory approval specifically for obesity management. The STEP-1 trial (New England Journal of Medicine, 2021) demonstrated a mean 14.9% reduction in body weight over 68 weeks in adults with obesity without type 2 diabetes at a dose of 2.4mg/week, establishing a new clinical benchmark. The SELECT trial (NEJM, 2023) subsequently showed a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease, broadening the therapeutic rationale beyond weight management alone.
Semaglutide is FDA-approved under three distinct brand names: Ozempic (once-weekly subcutaneous injection, 0.5–2mg, for type 2 diabetes); Wegovy (once-weekly subcutaneous injection, 2.4mg, for chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity); and Rybelsus (once-daily oral tablet, for type 2 diabetes). Research-grade semaglutide sold by peptide vendors is a synthetic peptide intended for laboratory research. It is not the pharmaceutical product, is not subject to pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing controls, and is not approved or intended for human use.
Sizes currently sold by tracked vendors: 100mg, 10mg, 14mg, 150mg, 15mg, 200mg, 20mg, 25mg, 2mg, 300mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 5mg, 7mg.
02 · Research status
STEP-1 (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021): 14.9% mean weight reduction at 68 weeks (2.4mg/week). SUSTAIN-6 (Marso et al., NEJM 2016): CV risk reduction established in T2D. SELECT (Lincoff et al., NEJM 2023): 20% MACE reduction in obesity with established CVD. FLOW trial (2024): renal outcomes benefit demonstrated in T2D with chronic kidney disease.
03 · Common research protocols
| Clinical titration schedule (Wegovy) | 0.25mg/wk × 4 wks → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4mg/wk |
| Clinical titration schedule (Ozempic) | 0.25mg/wk × 4 wks → 0.5mg/wk; titrate to 1–2mg/wk as needed |
| Administration (pharmaceutical) | Once-weekly subcutaneous injection (pen device); Rybelsus is oral |
| Typical research vial sizes | 2mg, 5mg, 10mg |
| Reconstitution solvent | Bacteriostatic water; research vials require manual reconstitution unlike pre-filled pharmaceutical pens |
Dosing above is from FDA-approved pharmaceutical labeling for Ozempic and Wegovy. These protocols apply to pharmaceutical-grade semaglutide manufactured under GMP conditions. Research-grade vials are not equivalent to pharmaceutical products. This information is for educational reference only.
Use the reconstitution calculator →04 · Storage & handling
Lyophilized research semaglutide should be stored at −20°C. Once reconstituted, store at 4°C and use within 28 days. The pharmaceutical pre-filled pens (Ozempic, Wegovy) have different storage requirements and should not be confused with research-grade vials.
05 · What to look for when buying
- GLP-1 peptides like semaglutide are among the more structurally complex molecules sold by research vendors. Third-party HPLC purity testing is especially critical — impurities in complex peptides can include truncated sequences and synthesis byproducts that are difficult to detect without proper testing.
- Finnrick Analytics currently has purity data for semaglutide from several vendors. Their testing includes both purity percentage and quantity accuracy, which matters significantly given that GLP-1 compounds are dosed in small quantities where fill accuracy directly impacts effective dose.
- Verify that the vendor's COA specifies HPLC purity, not just mass spectrometry. MS-based identity confirmation tells you that the molecule is present, but not whether it is at the claimed concentration or whether synthesis byproducts are present.
- Be aware that research-grade semaglutide from peptide vendors is not subject to the manufacturing controls that apply to Ozempic or Wegovy. It may lack the GMP sterility assurances of pharmaceutical-grade products.
- Semaglutide has high search volume and has attracted low-quality vendors. Prioritize vendors with multiple independent Finnrick test results spanning more than one batch.
06 · Price comparison
Prices last checked Oct 26, 2026| Vendor | Sizes | Price range | Best $/mg | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HkRoids | 6 | $41.00 – $145.00 | $0.48 | In stock |
| Zen Peptides | 5 | $50.00 – $160.00 | $0.53 | In stock |
| UWA Elite Peptides | 5 | $65.00 – $170.00 | $0.57 | In stock |
| Oupeptide | 5 | $80.00 – $190.00 | $0.63 | In stock |
| Reta-Peptide | 1 | $65.00 | $0.65 | In stock |
| Royal Peptides | 9 | $36.00 – $480.00 | $1.60 | In stock |
| Steady Meds | 5 | $30.00 – $75.00 | $3.75 | In stock |
| Mei Peptide | 6 | $45.00 – $145.00 | $4.83 | In stock |
| Peptide Partners | 4 | $285.00 – $976.00 | $4.88 | In stock |
| Nextwave Peptides | 6 | $59.00 – $199.00 | $4.97 | In stock |
| NextechLabs | 1 | $29.25 | $5.85 | In stock |
| Amino Amigos | 3 | $45.00 – $120.00 | $6.00 | In stock |
| Simple Peptide | 1 | $65.10 | $6.51 | In stock |
| PeptiSlim | 6 | $80.00 – $220.00 | $7.33 | In stock |
| Accelerate Labs | 2 | $49.99 – $74.99 | $7.50 | In stock |
| Prime Peptides | 4 | $70.00 – $150.00 | $7.50 | In stock |
| Coastal Peptides | 2 | $54.00 – $79.00 | $7.90 | In stock |
| Alpha-Gen | 1 | $80.00 | $8.00 | In stock |
| Hydro Research | 5 | $65.00 – $990.00 | $9.80 | In stock |
| Loti Labs | 1 | $54.99 | $11.00 | In stock |
| Injectify | 2 | $81.99 – $134.99 | $13.50 | Out of stock |
| Umbrella LabsVerified | 2 | $159.99 – $329.99 | $22.86 | In stock |
| Pure Rawz | 2 | $198.92 – $278.18 | $27.82 | In stock |
| Behemoth Labz | 1 | $376.28 | $37.63 | In stock |
24 vendors tracked · prices scraped weekly from vendor sites · open full comparison table →
07 · Third-party purity data
Full data at finnrick.com ↗Independent HPLC test results — averages across multiple samples.
08 · Frequently asked questions
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist — a class of compounds that mimic the action of GLP-1, an incretin hormone secreted by intestinal L-cells in response to food intake.
Is semaglutide FDA approved?
Yes — semaglutide is FDA-approved as Ozempic (type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (weight management), and Rybelsus (oral tablets). Research-grade semaglutide sold by peptide vendors is not the pharmaceutical product and is not approved for human use.
What is the difference between research-grade semaglutide and Ozempic/Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy are GMP-manufactured pharmaceuticals with verified sterility and dosing. Research-grade vials are unregulated lab reagents that require manual reconstitution and carry no pharmaceutical-grade guarantees — independent third-party purity testing is the main quality signal available.
How much does Semaglutide cost?
Across 24 vendors tracked by PepVendors, Semaglutide currently runs $0.48–$37.63 per mg at each vendor's best price tier (23 showing in stock). Vial prices and size tiers vary — the live comparison table on this page lists current pricing.