[08] Oral Semaglutide

Question 1

What is oral semaglutide?

Answer 1

A novel GLP-1RA with 94% homology to human GLP-1.

Question 2

What is GLP-1RA?

Answer 2

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist

Question 3

What is SNAC in the context of oral semaglutide?

Answer 3

Sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate

Question 4

What role does SNAC play?

Answer 4

Overcomes challenges of peptide absorption in the stomach’s acidic conditions.

Question 5

How similar is semaglutide to human GLP-1?

Answer 5

94% homology

Question 6

What amino acids are missing in semaglutide compared to GLP-1?

Answer 6

First six amino acids of GLP-1

Question 7

What changes are made at GLP positions 8 and 34?

Answer 7

• Alanine replaced by 2-aminoisobutyric acid
• Lysine replaced by arginine

Question 8

What enzyme is inhibited due to alanine substitution?

Answer 8

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4

Question 9

What is the function of the long chain attached to lysine at GLP position 26?

Answer 9

Increases drug’s binding to blood protein (albumin)

Question 10

What benefit does the long chain provide?

Answer 10

Longer presence in blood circulation

Question 11

What is the ending composition of the long chain attached to lysine at GLP position 26?

Answer 11

Chain of 17 carbon atoms and a carboxyl group