Simeglutide: From Lizard Venom to Global Medicine King, the Path to Sealing the Gods of a Generation of Divine Medicines
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- Issue Time
- Oct 10,2025
Summary
In 1992, American scientists accidentally discovered a peptide called "GLP-1" in the venom of the Gila lizard, a species of venomous lizard that lives in the deserts of North America. This substance can effectively stimulate insulin secretion and lower blood sugar.
Key timeline in 1999: Scientists successfully extended the half-life of GLP-1 from 1.5 minutes to 165 hours by modifying its molecular structure, allowing the drug to be injected once a week
In 2004, smeglutide was first clinically tested in patients with diabetes, with significant effects
2017: FDA approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes
2021: Unexpectedly discovered its powerful weight loss effect, approved for use in obesity treatment
2024: Added indications for chronic kidney disease, becoming the first GLP-1 class drug with renal protective effects
Key clinical data Type 2 diabetes: improvement of blood glucose control
Obesity: Significant weight loss effect, with an average weight loss of 15%, and 33% of patients losing over 20%
Cardiovascular protection: reduced risk of cardiovascular events=chronic kidney disease: huge market potential for renal protection. 2021: approved for weight loss indication, with annual sales of approximately $2 billion
2022: Sales increase by 70% to reach 3.4 billion US dollars
2023: Sales increase by 110% to reach $7.2 billion
2024: Sales exceed $17 billion, a year-on-year increase of 136%
More potential of semaglutide for anti-aging? Preliminary research suggests that it may delay cellular aging
Neuroprotection? Potential applications in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
Metabolic syndrome? Precautions for comprehensive treatment of obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension
1. Obtain through legitimate channels: Please obtain through hospital prescriptions and do not trust online purchasing agents
2. Dose adjustment: The initial dose is usually low and gradually increases to the effective dose
3. Possible side effects: Gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and diarrhea, which usually subside within a few weeks
4. Applicable population: Obese individuals with BMI ≥ 27 or BMI ≥ 24 and related complications
5. Taboo population: Patients with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2 syndrome are contraindicated
