What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide (also designated LY3298176) is a synthetic 39-amino-acid peptide that acts as a dual agonist at the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. It was developed as a research tool to study the combined effects of GIP and GLP-1 receptor activation on metabolic pathways. Full Scale Peptides supplies it as lyophilized powder for controlled laboratory research environments.
How does the dual agonist mechanism work?
GIP and GLP-1 are incretin hormones — peptides released from the gut in response to nutrient intake that modulate insulin secretion and other metabolic processes. Each receptor mediates distinct downstream signaling pathways. A dual agonist like tirzepatide activates both simultaneously, allowing researchers to study the combined receptor engagement that neither a pure GLP-1 agonist nor a pure GIP agonist can replicate in isolation.
This makes tirzepatide a distinct research tool from single-receptor agonists. The pharmacological profile is not simply additive — the GIP component modulates the GLP-1 response in ways that are still being characterized in preclinical research.
How does tirzepatide compare to retatrutide and semaglutide?
| Property | Tirzepatide (GLP-2 TRZ) | Retatrutide (GLP-3R) | Semaglutide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receptor targets | GIP + GLP-1 (dual) | GIP + GLP-1 + Glucagon (triple) | GLP-1 only |
| Alternate designation | LY3298176 | LY3437943 | Ozempic/Wegovy (brand) |
| Amino acids | 39 | 39 | 31 |
| Research use | Dual incretin receptor studies | Triple receptor metabolic studies | GLP-1 pathway studies |
| Form (FSP) | Lyophilized powder, 10mg | Lyophilized powder, 10mg | Not stocked |
What is tirzepatide used for in laboratory research?
- Dual incretin receptor studies — simultaneous activation of GIP and GLP-1 receptors in cell and tissue models
- Metabolic pathway research — investigating the combined effects of GIP/GLP-1 co-agonism on glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism
- Receptor binding and signaling studies — characterizing downstream cAMP, insulin secretion, and appetite-related signaling cascades
- Comparative pharmacology — benchmarking dual agonists against single-receptor GLP-1 agonists in controlled assay conditions
Specifications
| CAS Number | 2023788-19-2 |
| Alternate Designation | LY3298176 |
| Purity | 99.89% (HPLC-UV, batch 2605260162) |
| Net Content | 11.71 mg (verified by third-party lab) |
| Form | White lyophilized powder |
| Vial size | 10 mg |
| SKU | FSP-TIRZ-10MG |
How is tirzepatide stored and reconstituted?
Store lyophilized tirzepatide at -20°C, protected from light and moisture. For short-term use (up to 4 weeks), storage at 4°C is acceptable if the vial remains sealed. Once reconstituted, store at 4°C and use within 2–4 weeks; do not refreeze.
For reconstitution, use bacteriostatic water under proper sterile technique. Gently swirl — do not vortex or shake — until the powder is fully dissolved. Allow refrigerated vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation. See the full storage and handling best practices guide.
Certificate of Analysis
The batch Certificate of Analysis for lot FSP-TIRZ10-0326-A (accession 2605260162) is published below. Testing was performed by Freedom Diagnostics using HPLC with UV detection coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Identity confirmed. Purity: 99.89%. Net content: 11.71 mg.
See the COA library for all current batch documentation. For guidance on reading a certificate of analysis, see how to read a COA.
Research Use Only. All products supplied by Full Scale Peptides are intended strictly for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, medical use, or diagnostic purposes. Supplied exclusively to qualified professionals, institutions, and laboratories engaged in scientific research.
