# Peptides: 100 Years of Research, 80+ Drugs · PH Peptides Source: https://www.philippinespeptides.com/guides/peptide-research-history Updated: 2026-11-03 > 100+ years of peptide research, 80+ FDA-approved peptide drugs, and the timeline from insulin (1923) to retatrutide (2024). On this page - [What Are Peptides](#what) - [Research Timeline](#timeline) - [80+ FDA-Approved](#fda-approved) - [Research vs Approved](#distinction) - [Why Sourcing Matters](#sourcing) - [Related guides](#related) # History of peptide research: a 100-year scientific timeline Philippines Peptides editorial desk Updated 3 November 2026 4 min read **Span** - 1921 – 2026 **FDA approvals** - 80+ **Years of research** - 100+ **FDA approvals** - 80+ **In clinical trials** - 150+ **First drug (1923)** - Insulin Sourcing note: most readers of this site buy retatrutide from Primara Labs, our partner and supplier. Stock sits inside the Philippines, vials are batch-numbered, and Metro Manila orders verified before noon go out the same day. [Buy retatrutide 20mg Philippines](https://www.primaralabs.com/marketplace/retatrutide?utm_source=philippinespeptides&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline&utm_content=peptide-research-history) ## What peptides actually are Short chains of amino acids: typically 2 to 50 amino acids linked together. Beyond ~50, it's a protein. Your body produces thousands of peptides naturally: hormones (insulin, glucagon, oxytocin), neurotransmitters (endorphins), signaling molecules (growth factors, cytokines), antimicrobial agents (defensins). Key distinction ## The complete peptide research timeline ERA · 1920s · The Insulin Revolution - 1921 Banting and Best isolate insulin from canine pancreatic extracts at the University of Toronto. First peptide hormone ever isolated. - 1922 Leonard Thompson, age 14, becomes the first human to receive insulin injections. Blood sugar normalizes. Era of peptide medicine begins. - 1923 Eli Lilly begins commercial production. Banting and Macleod receive the Nobel Prize. ERA · 1930s – 1950s · Mapping the Peptide Hormones - 1932 Oxytocin identified as a peptide hormone responsible for uterine contractions and milk ejection. - 1953 du Vigneaud synthesizes oxytocin in the lab. First peptide hormone ever synthesized. Nobel Prize 1955. - 1953 Sanger determines complete amino acid sequence of insulin. Nobel Prize 1958. - 1954 Synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) enters clinical use for labor induction. Still used today. ERA · 1960s – 1970s · The GLP-1 Story Begins - 1964 Researchers observe oral glucose produces stronger insulin response than IV: the "incretin effect." - 1970s GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) identified. - 1979 GLP-1 identified when researchers sequence the proglucagon gene. - 1987 Holst lab demonstrates GLP-1 potently stimulates insulin secretion in humans. Foundational for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Retatrutide. ERA · 1980s – 1990s · BPC-157 and the Healing Peptides - 1980s University of Zagreb begins investigating Body Protection Compound (BPC) from human gastric juice. - 1991 First published BPC-157 study demonstrates wound healing acceleration in rats. - 1993 – 99 Multiple studies show BPC-157 accelerates healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and GI tract in animals. ERA · 2000s · GLP-1 Drugs Enter the Market - 2005 Exenatide (Byetta): first GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved. Derived from Gila monster saliva. - 2010 Liraglutide (Victoza) approved. Once-daily injection. - 2014 Liraglutide (Saxenda): first GLP-1 approved specifically for weight loss. - 2017 Semaglutide (Ozempic) approved for diabetes. Once-weekly. ERA · 2020s · The GLP-1 Revolution - 2021 Semaglutide (Wegovy) approved for chronic weight management. STEP trials show 15% average weight loss. - 2022 Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) approved as first dual GLP-1 / GIP agonist. 22.5% weight loss. - 2023 Retatrutide Phase 2 results published. Triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon). 28.7% body weight loss. Highest ever recorded. - 2024 Retatrutide enters Phase 3 trials. ## 80+ FDA-approved peptide drugs | Category | Examples | Years | | --- | --- | --- | | Diabetes / Metabolism | Insulin, Exenatide, Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide | 1923 – 2022 | | Hormonal | Oxytocin, Vasopressin, Goserelin, Leuprolide | 1954 – 1990s | | Cardiovascular | Nesiritide, Eptifibatide | 1998 – 2001 | | Oncology | Octreotide, Lanreotide, Degarelix | 1988 – 2008 | | Immune / Inflammatory | Cyclosporine, Enfuvirtide | 1983 – 2003 | | Bone / Metabolic | Teriparatide, Abaloparatide | 2002 – 2017 | | GI / Other | Linaclotide, Plecanatide | 2012 – 2017 | ## Research vs FDA-approved: the distinction FDA-approved peptides have completed expensive Phase 3 trials and obtained marketing authorization. Research peptides may have decades of animal data and Phase 1 / 2 human data but never completed Phase 3, usually because no pharmaceutical company found it commercially viable to fund the final stage. BPC-157 has 100+ published animal studies showing safety and efficacy. It is not FDA-approved because no patent holder paid for Phase 3 trials. That is a regulatory and commercial situation, not a scientific verdict. ## Why sourcing is the real concern The 100-year history makes clear: the molecules themselves are well-understood. Where modern peptide users get burned is supplier quality: counterfeits, underdosed product, contamination, broken cold-chain. See [/coa](https://www.philippinespeptides.com/coa) and the [buying guide](https://www.philippinespeptides.com/guides/buy-peptides-philippines) for evaluation criteria. Our partner and supplier ### Ready to order retatrutide? Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, holds stock inside the Philippines. Vials are batch-numbered, Metro Manila orders verified before noon dispatch the same day, provincial couriers run 1 to 3 days, and every order gets 10% off. ## Related guides ### Are peptides legal here How FDA Philippines treats research compounds in 2026. ### What peptides actually are The beginner version of the science on this page. ### What to ask a seller Where the sourcing concern above turns into questions. ### Retatrutide field reference The newest molecule in the timeline, in detail. --- Philippines Peptides sells nothing. Primara Labs is our partner and supplier. This is general information, not medical or legal advice.