Compound research hub

Tirzepatide: Research, Handling and Batch Documentation

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist with a completed phase 3 programme, supplied here as a research-use reference standard only.

Part of Volta's weight management research peptides catalogue.

Identity and research status

Also referred to as: Mounjaro, Zepbound
Class: Acylated 39 amino acid dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Molecular Formula: C225H348N48O68
Molecular Weight: 4813.45 g/mol
CAS Number: 2023788-19-2
Developer Code: LY3298176
Receptor Targets: GIP receptor (full agonist), GLP-1 receptor (biased partial agonist)
Backbone: Derived from native GIP rather than GLP-1
Acylation: C20 fatty diacid at position 20, giving reversible albumin binding
Half-life: Approximately 5 days
Non-natural Residues: Aib at positions 2 and 13, conferring DPP-4 resistance
Appearance: White lyophilised powder

Evidence level: FDA Approved (grade A)

Regulatory status: FDA-approved (Mounjaro for T2D, Zepbound for obesity and OSA)

Evidence grades describe the published literature on the compound, not a property of the material Volta supplies, and are not a statement that any use is approved. See how these grades are assigned.

Mechanism, in brief

Tirzepatide is a single 39 amino acid peptide that activates two receptors: the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). It is not a mixture of two drugs. One chain carries both activities, which is what the term unimolecular dual agonist describes, and the backbone is derived from native GIP rather than from GLP-1.

Albumin binding. A C20 fatty diacid attached at position 20 binds albumin reversibly, extending the half-life to roughly five days and supporting weekly administration.
GIPR full agonism. Tirzepatide behaves as a full agonist at the GIP receptor. GIP signalling acts on islet beta cells in a glucose-dependent manner and influences adipose lipid buffering.
GLP-1R biased partial agonism. At the GLP-1 receptor the molecule favours cyclic AMP signalling over beta-arrestin recruitment, which reduces receptor internalisation and desensitisation relative to a balanced full agonist.
Islet effect. Both arms potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Because both are glucose-dependent, the secretory effect falls away as glucose falls.
Appetite and adipose effects. GLP-1 receptor signalling in hypothalamic and hindbrain circuits reduces food intake, while GIP receptor signalling in adipose tissue is proposed to improve lipid handling, a contribution still being characterised.

The full research write-up, including the findings behind each claim and the model each came from, is on the Tirzepatide 10mg 10mg page.

Vial sizes available

Every size of Tirzepatide Volta lists, in stock or not. Each is a separate catalogue page with its own batch number and specification table.

Tirzepatide 10mg 10mgBatch #: VPTR10100
In stock
Tirzepatide 30mg 30mgBatch #: VPTR30100
In stock

Purity and batch documentation

Volta's release specification is >99% (HPLC). That is a threshold we set. >99% is the specification every batch is released to. The figure on a certificate is what a laboratory measured for one lot.

SideChain Analytics reported 99.8% by HPLC-MS/MS on September 16, 2026, lot VPTR30100.
Covers the 30mg vial. Results relate to the sample as received and are not a measurement of the other fills.
Read the certificate Verify on lab's website (Verify on SideChain Analytics's website, opens in a new tab)

the complete batch history dataset how each batch is tested laboratories that test peptides independently

Research on Tirzepatide

Research overview

the tirzepatide research overview and evidence base

Concentrations used in the literature

the escalation schedule used in the SURMOUNT trials

Comparisons

Handling and stability

Laboratory guides

Calculators

Regulatory context

United States: FDA-approved: Mounjaro (T2D, adults and children 10+) and Zepbound (obesity/overweight with comorbidities, severe OSA including new sleep apnea approval). Compounding fully prohibited for 503B facilities. Prescription only.
Canada: Health Canada approved (Mounjaro).
United Kingdom: MHRA/NICE approved (Mounjaro).

Primary sources

Coskun T, Sloop KW, Loghin C, et al.. LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: From discovery to clinical proof of concept. Molecular Metabolism (2018). PMID 30473097
Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al.. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine (2022). PMID 35658024
Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al.. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID 34170647
Rosenstock J, Wysham C, Frías JP, et al.. Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial. The Lancet (2021). PMID 34186022
Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al.. Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA (2024). PMID 38078870
Malhotra A, Grunstein RR, Fietze I, et al.. Tirzepatide for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine (2024). PMID 38912654
Loomba R, Hartman ML, Lawitz EJ, et al.. Tirzepatide for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis with Liver Fibrosis. New England Journal of Medicine (2024). PMID 38856224

More weight management research peptides

Tirzepatide sits in Volta's weight management research peptides catalogue, alongside the other compounds studied in this area. The whole range is on the full research catalogue, and the library of comparisons and guides is under peptide research.