Albiglutide
Tanzeum (US), Eperzan (EU), GSK716155
1What it is
Albiglutide was one of the first once-weekly GLP-1 . Instead of adding a fatty acid (semaglutide, liraglutide) or an antibody fragment (dulaglutide, efpeglenatide), it fused two copies of a modified human GLP-1 sequence to human albumin, the main carrier protein in blood. The result was a large molecule, which may explain why it crossed into the brain less and produced less weight loss and less nausea than its competitors, but also less HbA1c reduction.
It was approved by the FDA in April 2014 (Tanzeum) and by the EMA the same year (Eperzan). Uptake was poor against liraglutide and dulaglutide, and the manufacturer announced withdrawal in 2017, completing it in 2018. Ironically, its cardiovascular outcome trial reported a positive result just as the drug left the market.
2How it's thought to work
Albiglutide acts at the GLP-1 receptor in the same way as native GLP-1 (see profile #3). The albumin fusion gives it a long enough for weekly dosing and probably limited its entry into appetite centres of the brain. Reduced gastric-emptying effect compared with shorter-acting was noted, consistent with its continuous rather than pulsatile exposure.
3What the research shows
Glycaemic control
Cardiovascular outcomes
Weight
Gastrointestinal tolerability
4Reported side effects and interactions
Literature-reported
Injection-site reactions were notably more frequent than with comparators (roughly 15–18% vs under 10%), probably related to the albumin fusion and the large injection volume. Nausea, diarrhoea and upper respiratory infections were common. Pancreatitis occurred in a small number of patients; a causal link was not established. Class warnings for thyroid C-cell tumours applied. In HARMONY Outcomes, serious adverse events did not differ from placebo.Community-reported
none documented; the product was prescription-only and is discontinued.Theoretical. anti-albiglutide antibodies developed in a minority of patients, with no clear effect on efficacy.
Interactions. additive hypoglycaemia with insulin or sulfonylureas; delayed absorption of oral drugs.
Markers researchers commonly monitor
Of historical interest only; the monitoring pattern matched the GLP-1 class (see profile #3):
| Marker | Why it's watched |
|---|---|
| HbA1c and fasting glucose | primary efficacy marker. |
| Lipase/amylase | if abdominal pain occurred. |
| eGFR | kidney function with GI fluid loss. |
| Injection-site skin | the one marker where albiglutide differed from class, with higher reaction rates. |
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5Reconstitution and handling
The approved pen contained powder and in separate chambers; the user twisted the pen to mix, waited 15–30 minutes for the powder to dissolve, then injected. No product is currently manufactured. The calculator does not apply.
6Commonly studied alongside
Compared head-to-head with liraglutide (profile #60), sitagliptin, glimepiride, pioglitazone and insulin glargine within the HARMONY programme. Related long-acting GLP-1 agonists: dulaglutide (#61), semaglutide (#3), efpeglenatide (#221).
Informational cross-links. Not stack recommendations.
7Regulatory status by region
| Region | Status (checked —) |
|---|---|
| United States | FDA-approved April 2014 (Tanzeum); voluntarily withdrawn by the manufacturer, supply ended 2018 |
| European Union | EMA-authorised March 2014 (Eperzan); marketing authorisation withdrawn at the company's request † |
| United Kingdom | Licensed via EU authorisation; withdrawn |
| Australia | Not marketed † |
| South Africa | Not registered |
| Sport (WADA) | GLP-1 agonists not prohibited as of 2026 † |
8Open questions
- Why albiglutide's cardiovascular benefit was dominated by myocardial infarction rather than stroke, unlike semaglutide, remains unexplained; some attribute it to the large molecule's limited brain penetration.
- Whether albumin fusion inherently limits weight-loss efficacy is a live design question for pipeline peptides.
9References
- 1Hernandez AF et al. (2018). Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (HARMONY Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. PubMed · DOI
- 2Pratley RE et al. (2014). Once-weekly albiglutide versus once-daily liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on oral drugs (HARMONY 7). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. PubMed
- 3Ahrén B et al. (2014). HARMONY 3: 104-week randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of albiglutide compared with placebo, sitagliptin, and glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin. Diabetes Care. PubMed · DOI
- 4Rosenstock J et al. (2014). Advancing basal insulin replacement in type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with insulin glargine plus oral agents: a comparison of adding albiglutide versus insulin lispro (HARMONY 6). Diabetes Care. PubMed · DOI
- 5Tanzeum (albiglutide) US prescribing information (2014, archived). PubMed
- 6EMA. Eperzan: EPAR and withdrawal notice. PubMed
References are being resolved to PubMed/DOI identifiers; links search PubMed for the citation until then.
† Being confirmed by our reviewers against current sources.
10Community
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Self-reported side effects Phase 2
11Page history
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