Head to head
Teduglutide against Glepaglutide
Two GLP-2 analogues for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure, one approved and one not approved anywhere as of September 2026. In glepaglutide's 106 person phase 3, twice-weekly dosing cut weekly parenteral support by 5.13 litres against 2.85 on placebo while the once-weekly arm did not separate from placebo.
Column A
TeduglutideTeduglutide (GLP-2 analogue)
An FDA-approved GLP-2 analogue that promotes intestinal growth in short bowel syndrome, reducing dependence on IV nutrition.
Column B
GlepaglutideGlepaglutide (ZP1848), long-acting GLP-2 receptor agonist
A long-acting GLP-2 analogue for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. In a 106 person phase 3, 10 mg twice weekly cut weekly parenteral support volume by 5.13 litres against 2.85 on placebo; the once-weekly arm did not separate from placebo. Not approved anywhere as of September 2026, with a further phase 3 recruiting.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | Teduglutide | Glepaglutide |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic | Metabolic |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Gattex) for short bowel syndrome | Not FDA approved. No application in Drugs@FDA and no EMA medicine page as of 11 September 2026. Phase 3 EASE SBS-1 completed; a further confirmatory phase 3 (NCT07197944) recruiting since February 2026. |
| Half-life | ~2 hours | Not reported |
| Molecular weight | 3,752.1 Da | Not reported |
| Mechanism | Activates GLP-2 receptors in the gut to stimulate growth of the intestinal mucosa and improve nutrient absorption. | GLP-2 is released by intestinal L cells after meals and acts on the GLP-2 receptor to increase villus height and crypt depth, slow gastric emptying, raise intestinal blood flow and improve absorption of fluid and nutrients. People who have lost their terminal ileum and colon lose most of their GLP-2 producing cells, which is part of why the remaining bowel adapts poorly. Glepaglutide is a GLP-2 receptor agonist modified for slow release from the injection site and a long circulating half-life, which is what allows twice-weekly dosing where native GLP-2 lasts minutes and teduglutide is dosed daily. In people, the measurable effects are on absorption. The phase 2 trial measured intestinal wet weight and energy absorption by metabolic balance studies and found dose-dependent improvements at 1 and 10 mg. A 10 person open-label study reported a mean increase in wet weight absorption of 398 g per day at 24 weeks that did not reach significance (P equals 0.0585) and an energy absorption gain of 1,038 kJ per day that did (P equals 0.0215). The clinically relevant endpoint in phase 3, reduction in parenteral support volume, is downstream of these absorption changes. |
| Human studies cited | 3 | 6 |
| Legal status, US | FDA-approved, prescription only | Investigational, not approved |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Teduglutide and Glepaglutide?
Teduglutide: An FDA-approved GLP-2 analogue that promotes intestinal growth in short bowel syndrome, reducing dependence on IV nutrition. Glepaglutide: A long-acting GLP-2 analogue for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure. In a 106 person phase 3, 10 mg twice weekly cut weekly parenteral support volume by 5.13 litres against 2.85 on placebo; the once-weekly arm did not separate from placebo. Not approved anywhere as of September 2026, with a further phase 3 recruiting.
Which has stronger research evidence, Teduglutide or Glepaglutide?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 3 of the 3 studies cited on the Teduglutide profile were human work, against 6 of 8 for Glepaglutide. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are Teduglutide and Glepaglutide FDA-approved?
Teduglutide: FDA-approved (Gattex) for short bowel syndrome. Glepaglutide: Not FDA approved. No application in Drugs@FDA and no EMA medicine page as of 11 September 2026. Phase 3 EASE SBS-1 completed; a further confirmatory phase 3 (NCT07197944) recruiting since February 2026..
Related posts
Blog articles that cover Teduglutide or Glepaglutide, newest first.
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.