Overview
Choose your reading level:
In plain language
Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is an FDA-approved weekly injection for type 2 diabetes. It copies the gut hormone GLP-1, which helps the body release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces appetite.
It is much larger than most peptide drugs, because the GLP-1 part is attached to a piece of an antibody. That makes it last long enough for once-a-week dosing. In a large trial, it also lowered the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes.
For students
Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist made of two GLP-1 analogue chains, each fused through a peptide linker to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment, about 63 kDa in total. The Fc fusion slows renal clearance and the GLP-1 portion carries substitutions that resist DPP-4.
Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite. It was approved in 2014.
For researchers and instructors
Clinical evidence. The REWIND cardiovascular outcomes trial showed a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events versus placebo in a population where most participants did not have established cardiovascular disease.
Safety. Gastrointestinal effects are most common. Like other long-acting GLP-1 agonists, the label has a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents; contraindicated with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
Pharmacology. Half-life of about five days. Higher doses (3 and 4.5 mg) were added after the AWARD-11 trial.
Status. FDA-approved (Trulicity) for type 2 diabetes.
Molecular identity
- Amino acids
- Fusion protein
- Molecular weight
- ~63,000 Da
- Formula
- Fusion protein
- Sequence
- GLP-1 analogue linked to a modified IgG4 Fc fragment (two chains)
Origin and history
Eli Lilly made dulaglutide by fusing two GLP-1 analogue chains to part of an antibody (a modified IgG4 Fc region), which makes the molecule large enough to escape kidney clearance.
Approved as Trulicity in 2014 for once-weekly dosing, it became one of the best-selling diabetes drugs. The 2019 REWIND trial showed fewer cardiovascular events.
Key people
- Eli LillyDeveloper
Timeline
- 2014
Trulicity approved
- 2019
REWIND trial shows cardiovascular benefit
See every peptide on one history timeline.
Human evidence
The randomized REWIND trial showed fewer cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes.
Registration and enrollment are not proof of benefit; check study results directly.
Explore original publications and distinguish preclinical findings from controlled human evidence.
Safety and regulatory status
See every compound on the regulatory tracker.
FDA-approved; labels include a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.
This profile is educational and does not provide treatment, dosing or sourcing guidance.
Sources
- PubMed literature search: Dulaglutide
- PubChem compound search: Dulaglutide
- DailyMed (FDA label search): Dulaglutide
- PubMed: REWIND dulaglutide
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: Dulaglutide
Hernandez Gener, E. (2026, November 7). Dulaglutide: molecular data, research history and evidence. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/peptides/dulaglutide.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsLast reviewed November 7, 2026. Trial and regulatory status can change; confirm in the linked registries. This profile is educational and is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing or sourcing guidance. Report an error · Corrections policy