Researchers created a new dual-action peptide that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors with greater potency than tirzepatide and enough stability to potentially be taken as an oral pill.
30-minute half-life in simulated intestinal fluidThe double-stapled peptide resisted breakdown in gut-like conditions long enough to potentially enable oral delivery — a major hurdle for peptide drugs.
What the researchers found
The double-stapled and α-methylated peptide DA23-Bpy10,17Bpy21,28 demonstrated more potent and balanced dual agonist activity at both GLP-1R and GIPR compared to tirzepatide. It achieved a half-life of 30 minutes in simulated intestinal fluid, representing a significant improvement in proteolytic stability over earlier single-stapled versions.
In oral glucose tolerance tests in rodents, the peptide showed glucose-lowering activity equal to semaglutide, suggesting it could be a viable candidate for oral delivery of dual-agonist therapy.
Why it matters
Injectable GLP-1-based drugs have transformed diabetes and obesity treatment, but many patients would prefer an oral option. Current dual agonists like tirzepatide break down too quickly in the gut for oral delivery. This study demonstrates a chemical strategy that could make oral dual-agonist peptide drugs a reality, potentially improving patient adherence and expanding access to these powerful therapies.
How the study worked
The researchers used a medicinal chemistry approach, designing and synthesizing peptide analogs with two biaryl staples and α-methylation modifications to increase resistance to enzymatic breakdown. They tested the peptides for receptor activation at GLP-1R and GIPR in cell-based assays, measured proteolytic stability in simulated intestinal fluid, and evaluated blood sugar-lowering effects using oral glucose tolerance tests in rodents.
What this study cannot tell us
The study was conducted in rodent models, and results may not directly translate to humans. The 30-minute half-life in simulated intestinal fluid, while improved, may still need further optimization for practical oral dosing. No pharmacokinetic or long-term safety data were reported. The peptides have not yet been tested in human clinical trials.
How to read the evidence
This is a preclinical study involving peptide design, in vitro receptor assays, and rodent models. While the results are promising, the evidence is early-stage and has not been validated in human clinical trials.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, this study represents the current cutting edge in oral peptide dual agonist design.
The bigger picture
The GLP-1 receptor agonist market is rapidly expanding, with drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide generating billions in revenue. A major frontier is making these peptides orally bioavailable. This research adds to a growing body of work on peptide stabilization strategies and could accelerate the development of next-generation oral treatments that combine GLP-1R and GIPR dual agonism — potentially offering the metabolic benefits of tirzepatide in a convenient pill form.
Questions still open
- Can the 30-minute intestinal stability be further improved to support once-daily oral dosing in humans?
- How will these double-stapled peptides perform in terms of bioavailability and safety in human trials?
- Could this stapling approach be applied to other therapeutic peptides beyond GLP-1R/GIPR agonists?
Common questions
How is this peptide different from tirzepatide?
Could this lead to an oral alternative to injectable weight loss drugs?
Read the original research
Design of potent and proteolytically stable double biaryl-stapled GLP-1R/GIPR peptide dual agonists.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 125, 118215
Citation
Yang, Yifang; Lin, Qing. (2025). Design of potent and proteolytically stable double biaryl-stapled GLP-1R/GIPR peptide dual agonists.. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 125, 118215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2025.118215