Cotadutide
Also known as: MEDI0382, GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist
Cotadutide (also called MEDI0382 or GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist) is a glucagon agonist in the GLP-1 Agonist class. Cotadutide is a balanced dual agonist at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, based on the oxyntomodulin scaffold — the endogenous gut hormone that naturally activates both.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 1686108-82-2
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- —
- Half-life
- ~13 hours (sc) in human PK models
- FDA status
- Investigational New Drug (IND)
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Daily or per protocol
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- GLP-1 receptorGlucagon receptor
Research summary
AstraZeneca GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist studied for NASH and type 2 diabetes. Clinical development has been mixed; not FDA-approved.
Peptide Library's Cotadutide profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- Per trial protocol
- Frequency
- Daily or per protocol
- Cycle
- Per study
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
- Injection Sites
- Per protocol
- Timing Notes
- Investigational (T2D, CKD/T2D, metabolic endpoints)
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. Cotadutide is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C167H252N42O55 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | — |
| CAS number | 1686108-82-2 |
| Half-life | ~13 hours (sc) in human PK models |
| Appearance | Investigational sc formulation |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 134694273 |
| FDA UNII | QL6A9B13HW |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL4297630 |
| DrugBank | DB15194 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Cotadutide is a balanced dual agonist at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, based on the oxyntomodulin scaffold — the endogenous gut hormone that naturally activates both. GLP-1 receptor activation supplies glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression and reduced appetite, while glucagon receptor activation increases hepatic energy expenditure, glycogenolysis and fatty-acid oxidation. The intended result is greater weight and hepatic fat reduction than GLP-1 agonism alone, with the incretin arm offsetting glucagon-driven glucose elevation. Its development has centred on liver endpoints, where the glucagon component acts directly on hepatocytes.
Origin
Synthetic oxyntomodulin-related dual agonist.
Targets
Studies
- A randomized phase 2b trial examined the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist cotadutide on kidney outcomes in patients with diabetic kidney disease
- Safety and Efficacy of Novel Incretin Co-agonist Cotadutide in Biopsy-proven Noncirrhotic MASH With Fibrosis
- Characterisation of cotadutide's dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonistic effects on glycaemic control using an in vivo human glucose regulation quantitative systems pharmacology model
- Cotadutide promotes glycogenolysis in people with overweight or obesity diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
- Efficacy and safety of cotadutide, a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, in a randomized phase 2a study of patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Regulatory & research status
Cotadutide has been studied under an Investigational New Drug application. It is not approved for marketing.
| FDA status | Investigational New Drug (IND) |
|---|---|
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Banned in Sport |
| Library classification | Clinical Trial |
Benefits
Cotadutide side effects
Side Effects
- GI adverse events
- Increased heart rate (glucagon class)
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Cotadutide: frequently asked questions
What is Cotadutide?
AstraZeneca GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist studied for NASH and type 2 diabetes. Clinical development has been mixed; not FDA-approved.
How does Cotadutide work?
Cotadutide is a balanced dual agonist at the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, based on the oxyntomodulin scaffold — the endogenous gut hormone that naturally activates both. GLP-1 receptor activation supplies glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression and reduced appetite, while glucagon receptor activation increases hepatic energy expenditure, glycogenolysis and fatty-acid oxidation.
Is Cotadutide FDA approved?
No. Cotadutide is investigational: it is in clinical development and has not been approved by the FDA for any indication. Investigational status means trials are ongoing or complete but regulatory review has not resulted in approval, and efficacy and safety are still being established.
What is the half-life of Cotadutide?
Reported half-life for Cotadutide is ~13 hours (sc) in human PK models. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Cotadutide banned in sport?
Cotadutide is recorded here as prohibited in sport. Athletes subject to anti-doping rules should check the current WADA Prohibited List directly, since it is revised annually and classifications change.
What peptides are similar to Cotadutide?
Compounds most often compared with Cotadutide include Retatrutide, Survodutide, Pemvidutide and Mazdutide. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- A randomized phase 2b trial examined the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist cotadutide on kidney outcomes in patients with diabetic kidney disease — Kidney Int, 2024External reference
- Safety and Efficacy of Novel Incretin Co-agonist Cotadutide in Biopsy-proven Noncirrhotic MASH With Fibrosis — Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024External reference
- Characterisation of cotadutide's dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonistic effects on glycaemic control using an in vivo human glucose regulation quantitative systems pharmacology model — Br J Pharmacol, 2024External reference
- Cotadutide promotes glycogenolysis in people with overweight or obesity diagnosed with type 2 diabetes — Nat Metab, 2023External reference
- Efficacy and safety of cotadutide, a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, in a randomized phase 2a study of patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease — Diabetes Obes Metab, 2022External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Cotadutide profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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