At a glance
- Class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist (exendin-4 analogue)
- Receptor targets
- GLP-1R
- Length
- 39 amino acids
- Molecular mass
- ≈ 4.19 kDa
- Origin
- Synthetic copy of exendin-4 from Heloderma suspectum (Gila monster)
- Research area
- Metabolic & incretin research
- Also known as
- Exendin-4 (synthetic), Byetta
What Exenatide is
Exendin-4 was isolated in 1992 by John Eng while screening animal venoms for bioactive peptides. It shares roughly half of its sequence with human GLP-1 and activates the same receptor, but it resists breakdown by the enzyme DPP-4, so it lasts far longer in circulation than the native hormone.
Exenatide was approved in the United States in April 2005 as Byetta for type 2 diabetes. It carries no fatty-acid side chain, which makes it a useful contrast with the acylated analogues liraglutide and semaglutide: its pharmacology comes from the exendin backbone rather than from albumin binding.
What the research literature studies
- GLP-1 receptor binding, signalling and DPP-4 resistance
- Structure-activity work comparing exendin-4 with human GLP-1
- Reference comparisons for acylated GLP-1 analogues
Evidence rating: 5/5
Approved drug, phase 3 trials. Approved medicine with phase 3 trials, though newer GLP-1 agonists have largely superseded it. See our methodology for how levels are assigned.
- Short half-life compared with once-weekly acylated analogues.
- Its role is now mainly historical and comparative rather than cutting-edge.
Regulatory status
Exenatide is an approved prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes in several regions. Research-grade material is not the licensed product and must not be used in people or animals. Check current availability of the branded products with your regulator.
Reviewed November 2026.
Exenatide at Nordapep: sizes and price per mg
Every size, its price and the cost per milligram, so you can choose the best-value vial for your protocol.
Not currently listed at Nordapep.
Compare Exenatide
Exenatide FAQ
Is exenatide really derived from a lizard?
Exendin-4 was first found in the saliva of the Gila monster. The exenatide used today is made synthetically, not extracted from the animal.
How does exenatide differ from liraglutide?
Exenatide is a copy of a non-mammalian peptide with no lipid chain; liraglutide is a modified human GLP-1 analogue with a fatty acid. See the comparison page.
Where can I buy Exenatide for research?
Nordapep does not currently list Exenatide. You can ask Nordapep about availability, or compare related compounds that are in stock.
Is Exenatide approved?
Exenatide is an approved prescription medicine for type 2 diabetes in several regions. Research-grade material is not the licensed product and must not be used in people or animals. Check current availability of the branded products with your regulator.
Key terms for Exenatide
Further reading
Cite this page
peptide.wiki. (2026). Exenatide: research peptide profile. peptide.wiki. https://www.peptide.wiki/peptides/exenatide