Molecular Architecture
39 amino acids, two Aib residues, and a C20 fatty acid tail engineered for once-weekly dosing
Engineered for Dual Activation
Tirzepatide is not a natural hormone -- it is a 39-amino-acid peptide engineered by Eli Lilly to activate both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors from a single molecule. Its backbone is derived from the native GIP sequence, but key substitutions -- including two alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues and a C20 fatty diacid side chain -- give it GLP-1 receptor activity and a half-life long enough for once-weekly injection. In this unit you'll see exactly how each structural element contributes to tirzepatide's dual agonist profile.
Explore the Molecular Structure
Interact with tirzepatide's 39-amino-acid chain to see how each region and modification contributes to receptor engagement.