Survodutide (BI-456906, Boehringer Ingelheim) is a once-weekly GLP-1R + GCGR dual agonist. Adding glucagon receptor (GCGR) co-agonism to GLP-1R activation significantly increases energy expenditure (thermogenesis) and hepatic fat oxidation beyond what GLP-1R agonism alone achieves — at the cost of some glucagon-mediated glucose elevation that must be managed by the GLP-1R component. Phase 2 data in obesity showed ~19% weight reduction at 46 weeks. Phase 2 NASH data demonstrated 48.1% of patients achieved ≥30% liver fat reduction — positioning survodutide as a candidate in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis therapeutic space alongside its obesity indication.
~19%
Weight reduction Phase 2 (46 weeks)
168 hr
Half-life — once weekly
GLP-1R + GCGR
Dual receptor co-agonism
Phase 2
NASH/MASH liver trial data
≥99%
Purity — HPLC verified
Survodutide — Specifications
Survodutide — specifications
Property
Value
CAS Number
2381644-01-3
Molecular Formula
C₁₆₁H₂₅₇N₄₃O₅₀
Molecular Weight
3753.1 g/mol
Half-life
~168 hr (7 days)
Class
GLP-1R + GCGR dual agonist
Purity
≥99% HPLC verified
COA
Janoshik independent third-party
⚙️
Mechanism of Action — Survodutide
Survodutide activates two receptors simultaneously:
GLP-1R: Appetite suppression (hypothalamic POMC/AgRP), insulin secretion, gastric emptying — same as semaglutide/tirzepatide
GCGR: Hepatic glycogenolysis/gluconeogenesis (controlled by GLP-1R component), hepatic fat oxidation (FFA β-oxidation), thermogenesis (brown adipose tissue), bile acid secretion
GCGR co-agonism — the hepatic fat advantage
Glucagon receptor activation in hepatocytes drives fatty acid β-oxidation and reduces de novo lipogenesis — reducing hepatic fat content (NAFLD/NASH) faster and more completely than GLP-1R agonists alone. This is why survodutide shows stronger liver fat data than pure GLP-1R agonists: the GCGR component adds a direct hepatic lipid clearance mechanism. The challenge is glucagon’s glucose-raising effect, which is counterbalanced by the simultaneous GLP-1R insulin stimulation. This balance is dose-dependent and the key pharmacological engineering challenge in dual agonist design.
Key Research Studies & Clinical Data
Key clinical data — survodutide
Trial
Design
Result
Phase 2 Obesity 2024
387 obese patients, 46 weeks, 6mg weekly
~19.0% weight reduction vs ~2.8% placebo
Phase 2 NASH 2024
NASH patients with F1-F3 fibrosis, 48 weeks
48.1% achieved ≥30% liver fat reduction by MRI-PDFF
Phase 2 NASH fibrosis
Same trial, fibrosis endpoint
22.6% achieved ≥1 stage fibrosis improvement
Research Protocols — Survodutide
Protocol 1: DIO mouse — GLP-1R/GCGR comparison
Survodutide 30 nmol/kg vs semaglutide 30 nmol/kg vs vehicle SC weekly × 8 weeks. Body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, hepatic triglycerides (Oil Red O), plasma glucagon.
Indirect calorimetry in DIO mice — survodutide vs semaglutide vs mazdutide. Energy expenditure (VO2, VCO2, RQ), BAT UCP1 expression (IHC/WB), core body temperature.
Survodutide (BI-456906) is a once-weekly GLP-1R + glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim. It combines GLP-1R-mediated appetite suppression with GCGR-mediated thermogenesis and hepatic fat oxidation — producing greater energy expenditure than GLP-1R agonism alone.
How does survodutide compare to retatrutide?
Retatrutide (GLP-1R + GIPR + GCGR triple agonist) adds GIPR co-agonism to the GLP-1R + GCGR combination, producing ~24.2% weight reduction vs survodutide’s ~19%. GIPR adds incretin amplification and thermogenesis independently of GCGR. For studying isolated GLP-1R + GCGR dual agonism, survodutide provides the cleaner mechanism.
What does GCGR activation add to GLP-1R agonism?
GCGR activation drives hepatic fatty acid beta-oxidation, reduces de novo lipogenesis, increases thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, and elevates plasma glucagon (counterbalanced by GLP-1R insulin stimulation). The net result is greater energy expenditure and liver fat clearance than GLP-1R agonism alone.
What formats does QSC supply survodutide in?
QSC supplies survodutide as lyophilised research vials, ≥99% purity confirmed by HPLC with Janoshik COA. Ships from domestic QSC warehouses in USA, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Is survodutide approved?
Survodutide is in Phase 2/3 trials. It is not approved by the FDA or equivalent bodies. QSC supplies it for laboratory research use only.
Research Use Only: All QSC compounds are sold strictly for laboratory research purposes. Not for human use. Not approved by the FDA or equivalent regulatory bodies for human administration. All purchases confirm research intent and compliance with applicable local regulations.
