GLP-1 was identified in 1983, but the first GLP-1 medication was approved in 2005. The first FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist was Byetta (exenatide), approved for adults with type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 Timeline
| Milestone | Date | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 identified | 1983 | Researchers identified GLP-1 as a peptide produced from the proglucagon gene. |
| GLP-1's insulin effect demonstrated | 1987 | Research showed that human GLP-1 stimulates insulin release when blood glucose is elevated. |
| First GLP-1 medication | 2005 | The FDA approved Byetta (exenatide), the first GLP-1 receptor agonist. |
| Victoza approved | 2010 | Victoza (liraglutide) was approved for type 2 diabetes. |
| Ozempic approved | December 2017 | Ozempic (semaglutide) was approved for type 2 diabetes. |
| Wegovy approved | June 2021 | Wegovy (semaglutide) was approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus a related health condition. |
Is GLP-1 a Drug or a Hormone?
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. GLP-1 medications are technically called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They imitate some of GLP-1's effects, including increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, reducing glucagon secretion, slowing stomach emptying and influencing appetite.
Why Do People Associate GLP-1 With Ozempic?
Ozempic became one of the best-known GLP-1 medications after its FDA approval in 2017. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but was approved specifically for chronic weight management in 2021.
GLP-1 medicines are not new. The drug class dates back to 2005, while Ozempic and Wegovy were approved in 2017 and 2021.