Dulaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist Fc-fusion referenced in comparative metabolic research.
Also referenced as: LY2189265
Overview
Developed by Eli Lilly as a GLP-1 receptor agonist in which a modified GLP-1 analog is fused to a human IgG4 Fc fragment. It received first FDA approval in 2014.
At a glance
What Dulaglutide does
Dulaglutide is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist built differently from the acylated analogs: it fuses two modified GLP-1 peptide molecules to a human IgG4 Fc fragment, and this antibody-fragment scaffold both shields the peptide from DPP-4 degradation and confers a long half-life (~5 days) via recycling, without needing a fatty-acid chain. Functionally it delivers the standard GLP-1 actions — glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucose-dependent glucagon suppression, slowed gastric emptying, and central appetite reduction — with the tolerability and glucose-gated safety profile typical of the class.
Dulaglutide's clinical identity comes from the AWARD type-2-diabetes program, where it lowered HbA1c by roughly 1.0-1.6 percentage points across trials with modest weight loss (generally a few kilograms, less than the higher-dose weight-management agents). Its most notable result is the REWIND cardiovascular-outcomes trial, which showed a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in a broad type 2 diabetes population that included a majority without established cardiovascular disease — extending GLP-1 cardiovascular benefit to a primary-prevention-leaning cohort. Dulaglutide is well-characterized human-clinical evidence and is regulator-approved for type 2 diabetes. Within this catalog it represents the Fc-fusion approach to GLP-1 agonism, a design contrast to the albumin-binding acylated peptides like semaglutide and liraglutide.
Effects reported in research
- Glucose-dependent enhancement of insulin secretion, lowering HbA1c ~1.0-1.6% in the AWARD diabetes trials (human clinical).
- Glucose-dependent glucagon suppression, reducing hepatic glucose output (human clinical).
- Slowed gastric emptying and reduced appetite via GLP-1 receptors (human clinical).
- Modest weight loss (typically a few kilograms), less than dedicated weight-management agonists (human clinical).
- Reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in a broad type 2 diabetes population in the REWIND trial, including primary-prevention patients (human clinical).
- Once-weekly dosing via IgG4-Fc fusion that resists DPP-4 and extends half-life (~5 days) (human pharmacokinetic).
- Fc-fusion design contrasts with the albumin-binding acylated peptides of the class (structural).
- Low intrinsic hypoglycemia risk due to glucose-dependent insulin and glucagon effects (human clinical).
Effects listed reflect findings reported in the research literature — many in animal or in-vitro models. Listing an effect is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication in humans.
Mechanism of action
Dulaglutide is a fusion protein consisting of two modified human GLP-1 analog peptides covalently linked to a human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) Fc fragment. The GLP-1 portions activate the GLP-1 receptor to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. Fc fusion increases molecular size and resistance to degradation, giving a long half-life that supports once-weekly dosing.
Mechanistic description reflects published research-literature understanding. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
What it's studied for
Research contexts in which Dulaglutide appears in the literature. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication.
Key characteristics
- Large fusion protein pairing modified GLP-1 analog peptides with an IgG4 Fc fragment, unlike the small acylated peptide agonists
- Its antibody-Fc scaffold, not a fatty-acid side chain, is the basis for its extended half-life
- Administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection
- Marketed as Trulicity
- Studied in cardiovascular outcomes trials (e.g., the REWIND program)
- Considerably larger in molecular weight than peptide-only agonists such as semaglutide or liraglutide
Reported research dosing reference only
Educational reference, not dosing guidance. The figures below summarize amounts reported in published research and research-community protocols, provided for educational and research context only. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation, and not instructions for human use. Dulaglutide is a research compound.
In the human clinical literature dulaglutide is administered once weekly at fixed doses. These are reference figures describing published research/protocols, not dosing guidance for humans.
- Reported once-weekly doses: 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, 4.5 mg
- Common maintenance references in the literature: 1.5-4.5 mg once weekly
Half-life ~5 days (Fc-fusion driven) supports once-weekly dosing. Reference figures for research context only.
How it compares
Dulaglutide differs structurally from most GLP-1 agonists by being an Fc-fusion protein, achieving long duration through antibody-fragment fusion rather than fatty-acid acylation.
Commonly studied alongside
Compounds frequently researched together with Dulaglutide in the literature. Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
Compare and calculate
Side-by-side pages for the pairings the literature already documents for Dulaglutide, plus the unit-conversion reference for a reconstituted vial. Factual comparisons of documented characteristics — not a recommendation to combine or use any compound.
Dulaglutide reconstitution calculator → Concentration, volume per measured amount and syringe units for a stated vial mass and diluent volume. A unit-conversion reference, not a dosing recommendation.
Handling & Stability
Lyophilized peptides are stored cold, protected from light, and reconstituted only at the time of intended in-vitro work.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Verify supplier lot and Certificate of Analysis
- Follow institutional lab-safety protocols
Analytical & COA Concepts
Reputable research suppliers publish a third-party Certificate of Analysis per batch. Key analytical concepts referenced in COAs include:
Category Context
Dulaglutide sits in the GLP-1 Family area of the PeptiDex library.
- Entry type: Research compound reference
- GLP-1 Family category hub →
- Browse the full library →
- Glossary of terms →
Where researchers source Dulaglutide
For researchers studying Dulaglutide, third-party suppliers such as Practically Natty Peptides offer research-grade material, third-party tests every batch and provides Certificates of Analysis on request, and ship from the US.
PeptiDex does not maintain a direct supplier listing for this compound. The link above goes to a third-party research-supplier directory.
Frequently asked questions
What is dulaglutide and how is its structure unusual for a GLP-1 agonist?
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist built as a fusion protein: two GLP-1 analogue peptides linked to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment. The Fc fusion (rather than fatty-acid acylation) is what extends its half-life and enables once-weekly dosing. This makes it structurally larger and distinct from the acylated small-peptide GLP-1 agonists.
What is dulaglutide's half-life and what does it mean for study design?
Dulaglutide has a reported half-life of about 5 days (~4.7 days), supporting once-weekly administration in the literature. Steady state is generally reached after roughly 2-4 weeks of weekly dosing. Its Fc-fusion size also means it behaves more like an antibody-fusion biologic than a small peptide in handling terms.
How is dulaglutide dosed in the research literature?
Published protocols use fixed once-weekly doses, commonly 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3.0 mg, and up to 4.5 mg, sometimes with a step-up from a lower starting dose. Escalation is less elaborate than for some newer agonists. These are reference figures for research context only, not human dosing guidance.
How does dulaglutide differ from semaglutide?
Both are once-weekly GLP-1 agonists, but dulaglutide is an Fc-fusion protein while semaglutide is an acylated peptide, and in the reported comparisons semaglutide is generally associated with larger weight and glycemic effects. Dulaglutide is the earlier-generation weekly reference agonist. The structural difference is the key mechanistic contrast.
Is dulaglutide an approved drug?
Yes — dulaglutide is an approved once-weekly injectable for glycemic indications in humans. In a research catalog it is handled only as a reference research chemical and is not for human use.
How should research-grade dulaglutide be stored?
As an Fc-fusion protein it is temperature-sensitive; lyophilized material is stored cold, reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, kept refrigerated, and protected from light and freeze-thaw. Expect a COA with purity (commonly greater than or equal to 98%) and identity confirmation as the standard quality reference.
Answers are educational summaries of research-literature context and do not constitute medical advice. See the Research Library, COA guide, and Storage & Handling guide for more.
References
Primary literature indexed in PubMed for Dulaglutide. Listing a study records that it exists and is indexed — it is not a claim of efficacy, a therapeutic indication, or an endorsement of its conclusions. Much of this literature is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model).
- Dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (REWIND): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial
- Dulaglutide and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes: an exploratory analysis of the REWIND randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Each reference was checked against its PubMed record on 2026-07-28: the PMID resolves and the title, journal and year match. Where no indexed literature exists for a compound, PeptiDex says so rather than substituting a citation about a different molecule. See the editorial policy.