The Next Generation of GLP-1–Based Metabolic Therapies—and How They Compare to U.S. Options

The GLP-1 revolution didn’t stop with semaglutide or tirzepatide. Two experimental compounds—mazdutide (IBI362) and retatrutide (LY3437943)—are reshaping how researchers think about weight management, glucose control, and whole-body metabolism.

At myglp1store, we focus on educating researchers and informed adults about the evolving landscape of GLP-1 and related metabolic compounds—what’s approved, what’s investigational, and how they differ mechanistically.

This article breaks down:

What mazdutide and retatrutide are
How they work differently from U.S.-available GLP-1 medications
What clinical trials have shown so far
Why these compounds are not yet FDA-approved
How to responsibly explore GLP-1 research options

Understanding the New Generation of GLP-1–Based Compounds

Traditional GLP-1 Medications (U.S.)

Most FDA-approved GLP-1 medications fall into one of two categories:

GLP-1 only (semaglutide)
GLP-1 + GIP (tirzepatide)

These therapies primarily reduce appetite and improve glycemic control in humans when prescribed under medical supervision.

Next-Generation GLP Compounds

Mazdutide and retatrutide go further by activating additional metabolic receptors, aiming to influence:

Energy expenditure
Fat metabolism
Liver fat and broader metabolic pathways

These mechanisms have generated considerable research interest

Mazdutide (IBI362): GLP-1 + Glucagon Dual Agonist

Mazdutide targets both:

GLP-1 receptors, and
Glucagon (GCG) receptors

This dual-agonist design may influence energy use and fat metabolism in ways that differ from single-target GLP-1 medications.

What’s Available for Research

You can explore research-grade mazdutide offerings here:
Mazdutide 5mg and 10mg Products

Retatrutide (LY3437943): Triple-Agonist Metabolic Therapy

Retatrutide combines three targets:

GLP-1 receptor
GIP receptor
Glucagon receptor

This triple-agonist mechanism is designed to influence appetite, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure simultaneously.

What’s Available for Research

Research-grade retatrutide options can be found here:
Retatrutide 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 30mg

How These Compare to U.S. GLP-1 Medications

Mechanism Comparison

Compound	Receptor Targets
Semaglutide	GLP-1 only
Tirzepatide	GLP-1 + GIP
Mazdutide	GLP-1 + Glucagon
Retatrutide	GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon

U.S.-Available GLP-1 Medication Categories

While experimental compounds like mazdutide and retatrutide are still under regulatory review, the U.S. currently has approved options such as:
Semaglutide Products (Research Grade) — Explore Semaglutide Research Products
Tirzepatide Products (Research Grade) — Explore Tirzepatide Research Products

Note: In clinical practice, U.S. prescription drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro are FDA-approved under proper medical supervision but are not directly linked here because this article focuses on research-labeled products.

U.S.-Available GLP-1 Medication Categories

1. Separate Regulatory Requirements

Approval in countries outside the United States—such as China for mazdutide—is significant but does not equate to FDA approval. Each regulatory agency has its own data requirements, trial design expectations, and manufacturing oversight standards.

2. Development Strategy

Many investigational therapies are developed first for specific markets due to business and logistical considerations. Retatrutide and mazdutide remain in advanced clinical development outside the U.S., with data still accumulating.

3. U.S. Market and Competition

The American market already features effective GLP-1 therapies, which sets a higher bar for new entrants to justify regulatory and commercial investment.

Where MyGLP1Store Fits In

At myglp1store (https://www.myglp1store.com), our mission is to help curious adults, researchers, and informed consumers understand and explore the science behind GLP-1 and multi-agonist compounds — including investigational peptides — in a compliant and transparent way.

We provide:

Educational resources to understand mechanisms and trial differences
Clearly labeled research-use products like mazdutide, retatrutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and more
A secure browsing and purchasing experience with transparent product information

Safety and Compliance Reminder

All products discussed and linked here are provided for research or educational use only and are labeled as such. They are not intended for human consumption or clinical treatment unless under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a licensed clinician before making health-related decisions.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Products mentioned are not FDA-approved unless explicitly stated and are intended for research or laboratory use only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before pursuing treatment or therapeutic interventions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between mazdutide and retatrutide?

Mazdutide and retatrutide differ primarily in their receptor targets. Mazdutide is a dual-agonist that activates GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, while retatrutide is a triple-agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. This difference in receptor activity leads to distinct metabolic research interests and developmental pathways.

Are mazdutide and retatrutide FDA-approved?

No. As of now, neither mazdutide nor retatrutide has received FDA approval in the United States. Mazdutide has been approved in China for certain indications, while retatrutide remains an investigational compound undergoing clinical development in multiple regions.

Why is mazdutide available in China but not in the United States?

Regulatory approval varies by country. China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the U.S. FDA have different clinical data requirements, review timelines, and approval standards. Approval in one country does not automatically transfer to another.

How do mazdutide and retatrutide compare to U.S. GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide?

U.S.-approved GLP-1 medications typically activate one or two incretin receptors, such as GLP-1 alone or GLP-1 combined with GIP. Mazdutide and retatrutide activate additional metabolic receptors, which has generated research interest in broader metabolic signaling beyond traditional GLP-1 pathways.

Why is there growing interest in next-generation GLP-1 therapies?

Researchers are exploring next-generation GLP-1 therapies to better understand complex metabolic pathways and hormone interactions. Multi-agonist compounds offer a way to study broader metabolic signaling beyond traditional single-target approaches.

Is retatrutide considered a next-generation GLP-1 compound?

Yes. Retatrutide is often described as a next-generation GLP-1-based compound because it activates three metabolic receptors instead of one or two. This expanded mechanism distinguishes it from earlier GLP-1 therapies and has made it a focus of advanced clinical research.

Can these compounds be used interchangeably with FDA-approved GLP-1 medications?

No. Investigational compounds like mazdutide and retatrutide are not substitutes for FDA-approved medications. Any clinical use of approved GLP-1 drugs should occur only under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.

Where can researchers learn more about GLP-1 and multi-agonist compounds?

Educational resources, research discussions, and clearly labeled research-use products related to GLP-1 and multi-agonist compounds can be found at myglp1store

Are products discussed in this article intended for human consumption?

No. Products referenced in this article and linked on myglp1store are labeled for research or educational use only. They are not intended for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or disease prevention.

What does “multi-agonist” mean in GLP-1 research?

A multi-agonist compound is designed to activate more than one hormone receptor simultaneously. In GLP-1 research, this approach aims to study how combined receptor activation may influence appetite regulation, glucose signaling, energy expenditure, and overall metabolic processes.

The Next Generation of GLP-1–Based Metabolic Therapies—and How They Compare to U.S. Options

The GLP-1 revolution didn’t stop with semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Two experimental compounds—mazdutide (IBI362) and retatrutide (LY3437943)—are reshaping how researchers think about weight management, glucose control, and whole-body metabolism. While neither is currently FDA-approved for use in the United States, both have generated strong interest due to their multi-receptor mechanisms and impressive clinical trial outcomes.

At myglp1store, we focus on educating researchers and informed adults about the rapidly evolving GLP-1 landscape—what’s approved, what’s experimental, and how these compounds differ at a mechanistic level.

This article covers:

What mazdutide and retatrutide are
How they work differently from U.S. GLP-1 medications
What clinical trials have shown so far
Why availability differs by country
How to responsibly explore GLP-1 research options

Understanding the New Generation of GLP-1–Based Compounds

Traditional GLP-1 Medications (U.S.)

Most FDA-approved GLP-1 medications fall into one of two categories:

GLP-1 only (semaglutide, liraglutide)
GLP-1 + GIP (tirzepatide)

These therapies primarily reduce appetite and improve glycemic control.

Next-Generation GLP Compounds

Mazdutide and retatrutide go further by activating additional metabolic receptors, aiming to influence:

Energy expenditure
Fat metabolism
Liver fat
Broader cardiometabolic pathways

Mazdutide (IBI362): GLP-1 + Glucagon Dual Agonist

Mazdutide activates:

GLP-1 receptor
Glucagon (GCG) receptor

Why This Matters

The glucagon component may:

Increase energy expenditure
Influence fat oxidation
Support reductions in liver fat

Clinical Evidence (China)

Approved by China’s NMPA for chronic weight management
Approved for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Phase 3 GLORY-1 trial showed clinically meaningful weight reduction compared with placebo
Favorable metabolic marker changes reported across trials

Limitations

Approved only in China
Not FDA-approved
Global rollout depends on licensing and regulatory strategy

Retatrutide (LY3437943): Triple-Agonist Metabolic Therapy

Retatrutide is considered one of the most advanced experimental compounds in the GLP-1 space.

It activates:

GLP-1 receptor
GIP receptor
Glucagon receptor

This makes retatrutide a triple-agonist, distinct from both mazdutide and currently approved U.S. medications.

What Retatrutide Trials Have Shown So Far

In large phase 2 trials involving adults with overweight or obesity (ages 18–75):

Weight Reduction

Participants achieved substantial average body-weight reductions
Weight loss magnitude exceeded what has historically been seen with GLP-1–only therapies in similar trial settings

Metabolic Effects

Improvements in glucose control
Favorable cardiometabolic marker trends
Signals suggesting benefits beyond appetite suppression alone

Dosing & Tolerability

Once-weekly injectable
Side-effect profile consistent with incretin-based therapies (primarily gastrointestinal)
Dose escalation played a major role in tolerability

Important: Retatrutide remains an investigational compound and has not received FDA approval for any indication.

Retatrutide vs. Mazdutide vs. U.S. GLP-1s

Mechanism Comparison

Compound	Receptor Targets
Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic)	GLP-1
Tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro)	GLP-1 + GIP
Mazdutide	GLP-1 + Glucagon
Retatrutide	GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon

Key Differences

Mazdutide

Dual agonist
China-approved
Strong focus on metabolic efficiency and liver fat
Glucagon activity without GIP

Retatrutide

Triple agonist
Still investigational globally
Designed to maximize weight loss and metabolic effects
Combines appetite suppression + energy expenditure + insulin sensitivity pathways

Why These Drugs Aren’t Available in the U.S. (Yet)

1. FDA Approval Is Separate

Approval in China or publication in major journals does not equal FDA approval. Each compound must:

Complete FDA-acceptable trials
Submit manufacturing and safety data
Undergo U.S. regulatory review

2. Strategic Market Decisions

Mazdutide was developed primarily for China
Retatrutide remains in late-stage clinical development
Companies prioritize regions based on cost, competition, and timelines

3. The U.S. Already Has Strong GLP-1 Options

Semaglutide and tirzepatide set a high bar. New drugs must demonstrate clear differentiation to justify entry.

Where MyGLP1Store Fits In

At myglp1store, we exist for people who want:

Clear explanations of approved vs investigational compounds
Education on mechanism-level differences, not hype
Access to research-labeled GLP-1–related compounds
Transparency and compliance-first communication

We do not claim FDA approval for investigational compounds, and we do not provide medical advice. Our focus is education, research, and informed decision-making.

Explore GLP-1 research products and educational resources at: https://www.myglp1store.com

Final Takeaway

Mazdutide and retatrutide represent the future direction of metabolic therapy:

Moving beyond appetite suppression alone
Targeting multiple hormonal pathways
Aiming for broader metabolic optimization

While U.S. consumers currently rely on FDA-approved GLP-1 medications, understanding these experimental compounds helps clarify where the science is headed next.

At myglp1store, we’ll continue tracking these developments and providing fact-based education so our community stays informed—not misled.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products offered on myglp1store.com are not FDA-approved unless explicitly stated and are intended for research or educational use only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.