RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-132

Liraglutide

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

74/100

The first GLP-1 that proved the class wasn't a fluke; mostly obsoleted by weekly successors but still a real tool

Liraglutide is the workhorse that established GLP-1 receptor agonism as a real therapeutic and metabolic class. Novo Nordisk's first big swing. Acylation with a C16 fatty acid via a glutamyl spacer extends half-life through albumin binding (similar logic to CJC-1295-DAC, actually) and gives you a once-daily injectable. The LEADER trial in 2016 was a big deal for cardiovascular endpoints. SCALE for obesity at 3 mg daily showed weight loss in the 5 to 8 percent range, which felt impressive until semaglutide showed up.

Mechanism is textbook GLP-1 pharmacology: pancreatic GLP-1R agonism increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, central effects on satiety through hypothalamic and brainstem GLP-1R populations. Pretty well-mapped.

What we like: the data set is genuinely huge. Years of post-approval safety, multiple indication trials, well-characterized PK/PD. As a research tool for GLP-1 biology its hard to beat because the literature for cross-referencing is so deep. The once-daily dosing is also pharmacokinetically interesting if you want to study acute versus tonic GLP-1R stimulation; the weekly agents make that harder.

What we dont like: the weight loss is real but modest compared to what semaglutide and tirzepatide produce, and the GI side effects (nausea, occasional vomiting) tend to be worse during titration than with the weekly drugs because the daily dosing keeps the system at higher peak exposure relative to trough. From a research perspective the daily injection is also operationally heavier than weekly options.

Sourcing: this is a generic-eligible compound in some jurisdictions now, with active research-grade vendors offering recombinant or chemically synthesized material. Quality has been historically reasonable but the recent explosion of GLP-1 demand has flooded the market with vendors of variable provenance, so QC is more important than it used to be. Get a COA, check the mass.

Honestly, liraglutide is the established workhorse here. Not exciting because the field moved on to weekly drugs, but if you want a daily GLP-1 reference compound with the deepest published characterization in the class, this is it.

Evidence: 92
Mechanism: 85
Reliability: 85
Safety: 78
Sourcing: 70
Value: 55
Signal: 70
Staying power: 60

Plain-language summary Intrigue 80 / 100

Liraglutide, sold as Victoza and Saxenda, was the first daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for both diabetes (Victoza) and weight loss (Saxenda). It paved the way for the entire GLP-1 obesity drug class. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Daily GLP-1 receptor agonist

A daily-dosing GLP-1 analog FDA-approved as Victoza (T2DM, 2010) and Saxenda (obesity, 2014); the predecessor of semaglutide.

Abstract

Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda; CAS 204656-20-2; molecular weight 3751.20) is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk and approved by the FDA for T2DM (2010) and obesity (2014). The compound features a 16-carbon fatty acid (palmitoyl) chain attached to lysine 26 via a glutamic acid spacer, enabling reversible albumin binding for extended half-life of approximately 13 hours, supporting a once-daily subcutaneous administration interval. Liraglutide was the first GLP-1 agonist approved for chronic weight management. Reported research dose ranges in the literature span roughly 0.6 to 3 mg subcutaneously across the T2DM and obesity programs.

Mechanism of action

GLP-1 receptor agonist with palmitoyl albumin binding for daily dosing.

Reported research dose ranges

Reported research dose ranges in the literature span roughly 0.6 to 3 mg subcutaneously.

References

Marso SP, et al. Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER). N Engl J Med 2016.

Read the full monograph

The full reference document is available as a research-use-only PDF download. Note: PDFs for newly added compounds may take a few hours to propagate after this article was published.

KDC-MN-132

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

Download PDF →

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

Kodiac sells research compounds for investigative use only.

Liraglutide

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

Quick actions

Categories

Help and policies

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

Adjacent monographs