Legal status · Canada
Is Albiglutide legal in Canada?
Written by Aaron CuhaReviewed Sep 2026
Direct answer
No. Albiglutide is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not approved". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, 6 human studies are cited on its profile.
Albiglutide in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Not approved |
|---|---|
| Note | No Health Canada approval located. |
| Health Canada approval status | Not approved by Health Canada |
| Human studies cited | 6 of 8 citations on the profile |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the Albiglutide profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
No product containing Albiglutide is approved by Health Canada for any use in Canada, so nothing on the market is authorized for people.
- 02
"Research use only" is a vendor label, not a legal category that permits human use. It does not exempt a product from medicines law.
- 03
Importing, supplying or promoting it for human use can fall under medicines legislation in Canada. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What Albiglutide is
A once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in 2014 and withdrawn from every market by 2018. In the 9,463 person Harmony Outcomes trial it reduced cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke by 22 percent against placebo, and in a head to head trial it lowered HbA1c less than liraglutide. The drug is no longer available anywhere.
Albiglutide is a recombinant fusion protein: two tandem copies of human GLP-1 (7-36), each with glycine replacing alanine at position 8 to resist DPP-4, fused to human albumin. The albumin gives it a half-life of about 5 days and once-weekly dosing, and a molecular weight of 72,970 daltons, which makes it by far the largest molecule ever sold as a GLP-1 drug.
Mechanism: Albiglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor: glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon, slower gastric emptying and reduced appetite, the same mechanism as every drug in the class. Two features set it apart.
Regulatory history: FDA approved 15 April 2014 (Tanzeum, BLA 125431) for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA marketing status: Discontinued. EU authorisation (Eperzan) granted March 2014 and withdrawn 29 October 2018 at the holder's request.
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for Albiglutide at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
Albiglutide in other countries
Frequently asked questions
Is Albiglutide legal in Canada?
No. Albiglutide is not an approved medicine in Canada; its classification is "Not approved". Nothing containing it is authorized for any use in people. Vials labeled "for research use only" are not exempt: that label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, 6 human studies are cited on its profile. Note: No Health Canada approval located.
Can I buy Albiglutide in Canada?
No approved product exists to buy. In Canada Albiglutide is classified as "Not approved", so there is no licensed pharmacy product. Vendors selling it "for research use only" are not selling it for human use, and that label does not change its legal status. This site does not list or recommend vendors. Note: No Health Canada approval located.
Is Albiglutide Health Canada approved?
No. In Canada Albiglutide is classified as "Not approved", which is not a Health Canada marketing approval. For comparison, the US FDA status is: FDA approved 15 April 2014 (Tanzeum, BLA 125431) for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Drugs@FDA marketing status: Discontinued. EU authorisation (Eperzan) granted March 2014 and withdrawn 29 October 2018 at the holder's request.. On the evidence, 6 human studies are cited on its profile.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for Albiglutide live on its compound profile.
Albiglutide profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of Albiglutide in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.