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Incretin mimetic

Exendin-4

Exendin-4 is a 39-residue peptide from Gila monster venom that activates the GLP-1 receptor and inspired the drug exenatide.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

Page data last changed: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.

Reference backbone length
39 positions
Class
Incretin mimetic
Function
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Context
Basis for exenatide (approved)

Venom-derived GLP-1 mimetic resistant to DPP-4.

Part of the Metabolic & GLP-1 peptides cluster

Overview

Exendin-4 is a 39-residue peptide from Gila monster venom that activates the GLP-1 receptor and inspired the drug exenatide.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Gila monster venom homolog

Primary research or clinical context: Basis for exenatide (approved)

From venom to medicine

Exendin-4’s resistance to DPP-4 cleavage made it a template for incretin mimetic drugs — a famous natural-product-to-pharmacy story in peptide science.

Sequence of the selected reference form

Sequence backbone for the reference form: Exendin-4 parent peptide amide. Termini, stereochemistry and modifications are described below.

HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS

HGEGTFTSDLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS

Analyze sequences in the playground →

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Source-supported reference

The selected reference is the 39-residue Heloderma suspectum exendin-4 peptide amide, identical in sequence to exenatide. The imported CIDs omit all or some stereochemistry; CID 45588096 supplies the complete stereoisomer.

Molecular form
Exendin-4 parent peptide amide
Species
Heloderma suspectum (natural sequence); selected molecular reference is not a claim of venom extraction
Termini (N / C)
Free histidyl amino terminus / L-serinamide (Ser39-NH2)

Average reference mass · Molecular identity assessment: 2026-10-05

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Full sequence with modifications

H-His-Gly-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg-Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2

Molecular formula
C184H282N50O60S
Average reference mass
≈ 4,186.6
Backbone
Exendin-4 parent peptide amide
C-terminus
L-serinamide (Ser39-NH2)
Identifiers

Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem.

Clinical development snapshot

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 378 registered studies with “Exendin-4” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.

Registered studies
378
Highest phase reached
Phase 4
Active in latest 100
19
Most recent update
2026-09-24
Most recently updated studies
NCTTitlePhaseStatusUpdated
NCT05663515A Pan-European Post-Authorisation Safety Study: Risk of Pancreatic Cancer Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients Who I—recruiting2026-09-24
NCT01988545GLP-1's Effect on Cardiac Parameters and Mesenteric Blood FlowNot applicablecompleted2026-09-15
NCT07808879Comparison of [68Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-PEG6-Exendin-4 and [68Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-Exendin-4 PET/CT for Insulinoma LocalizatioNot applicablerecruiting2026-09-09
NCT06725693Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor PET/CT in GLP-1R Related Disease—recruiting2026-09-08
NCT05220917Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Four Second Line Pharmacological Strategies in Type 2 Diabetes Study—active not recruiting2026-08-13
NCT07702461Determination of Resistance Training Status for Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists—recruiting2026-07-24
See all on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Concentration math

Exendin-4 — reconstitution calculator

Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.

Reference form: Exendin-4 parent peptide amideAverage reference mass: 4,186.6 Da

Syringe graduation
Solution concentration
5 mg/mL5,000 mcg/mL
mcg

Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.

Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.

Open the Exendin-4 calculator on its own page →

Change log

Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.

  1. Trials1 registered study added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 378).

FAQ about Exendin-4

What is Exendin-4?+

Exendin-4 is a 39-residue peptide from Gila monster venom that activates the GLP-1 receptor and inspired the drug exenatide.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Exendin-4?+

Canadian product status for Exendin-4 has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.

What is the length of the selected reference form for Exendin-4?+

The selected reference form (Exendin-4 parent peptide amide) has 39 residues or residue-derived units in its backbone. Other forms in this family may have a different length.

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Semax
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References & further reading

  1. 1.Eng et al. (1992). Isolation and characterization of exendin-4, an exendin-3 analogue, from Heloderma suspectum venom. Further evidence for an exendin receptor on dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. J Biol Chem
  2. 2.Esparza-Salazar et al. (2021). Exendin-4 for Parkinson's disease. Brain Circ
  3. 3.Jansen et al. (2019). Exendin-4 analogs in insulinoma theranostics. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm
  4. 4.Wang et al. (2025). Exendin-4 Prevents oxLDL-Induced upregulation of TREM2 and attenuates foam cell formation and inflammation in Macrophages. Biochem Pharmacol
  5. 5.Khine et al. (2025). Exendin-4 improves mitochondrial integrity against cisplatin-induced cardiac damage: Targeting p53 and NF-κB pathways. Eur J Pharmacol
  6. 6.Verma et al. (2024). Exendin-4: A potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Chem Biol Drug Des
  7. 7.Ahn et al. (2021). Exendin-4 Pretreatment Attenuates Kainic Acid-Induced Hippocampal Neuronal Death. Cells
  8. 8.Rajabi et al. (2022). Exendin-4 as a Versatile Therapeutic Agent for the Amelioration of Diabetic Changes. Adv Pharm Bull
  9. 9.PubChem — compound summary for Exenatide (CID 45588096)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Exenatide (synthetic exendin-4)
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
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