Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Compound monograph · Incretin receptor agonists

Dulaglutide — compound monograph

GLP-1 receptor agonist, Fc-fusion protein. Approved. The Institute assesses 4 outcomes for this compound and grades the strongest at high certainty.

Document identifier
CEI-MN-008
Series
Compound monograph
Version
3.1
Published
23 Jul 2024
Last reviewed
23 Sep 2025
Next review
23 Sep 2027
Identifier
10.71829/cei.mono.8
Certainty
High
Cycle
2024 Q3

§1Identification and status

§1.1Nomenclature

Preferred name
Dulaglutide
Compound class
GLP-1 receptor agonist, Fc-fusion protein
Assessment series
Incretin receptor agonists
Synonyms and codes
LY2189265 · dulaglutide (INN) · Trulicity (trade)
Route as evaluated
Subcutaneous once weekly

§1.2Chemistry

Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]

CAS registry number
923950-08-7
Molecular formula
not applicable (glycoprotein)
Average mass
≈59,670 Da (63 kDa nominal)
Monoisotopic mass
not applicable
ATC classification
A10BJ05

§1.3Sequence and structural notes

Two identical disulfide-linked chains, each comprising a modified GLP-1(7-37) analogue joined by a small peptide linker to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment

Unlike the acylated analogues, dulaglutide achieves its long half-life through Fc-mediated recycling via the neonatal Fc receptor. It is a recombinant glycoprotein expressed in mammalian cell culture, not a solid-phase synthetic peptide, and therefore falls outside the analytical framework applicable to synthetic peptides.

§1.4Assessment status

The Institute assesses Dulaglutide across 4 indications and grades the strongest of them at high certainty. Holds a marketing authorisation for at least one indication in at least one jurisdiction.

Distribution of certainty ratingsShare of assessed outcomes at each certainty level.4assessed outcomes
HighModerateLowVery low
Figure 1. Distribution of certainty ratings across the 4 outcomes the Institute assesses for Dulaglutide. A rating attaches to a specific population, comparator and outcome and does not transfer between them.

Table 1. Assessed outcomes for Dulaglutide, ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.

IndicationEffect as recordedCertaintyTrials
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk reductionMACE hazard ratio 0.88 in a population with a majority without established cardiovascular diseaseHigh1
Type 2 diabetes mellitus−1.1 to −1.9 % HbA1c across the AWARD programme; 4.5 mg gave −1.9 % in AWARD-11High5
Obesity and overweight in adults−4.6 kg at 4.5 mg over 52 weeks in type 2 diabetesModerate1
Chronic kidney disease in type 2 diabetesSlower eGFR decline versus insulin glargine in moderate-to-severe chronic kidney diseaseLow1
Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table.

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.