Discovery and function of GLP-1 drugs.
Discovery of exendin-4
In the 1990s, Dr. John Eng discovered that exendin-4, a component of the Gila monster’s venom, had a similar structure and effects to GLP-1. Exendin-4 was synthesized and tested in animal models, and in 2005 the FDA approved exenatide (Byetta), a synthetic version of exendin-4, to treat type 2 diabetes.
Discovery of GLP-1
In 1986, Jens Juul Holst and Joel Habener identified the amino acid sequence of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the small intestine that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite.
How the venom of a lizard led to one of the most important scientific discoveries of modern Medicine.
GLP-1 is a hormone produced in the small intestine that stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, suppresses glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying.
Exendin-4: From lizard to laboratory…and beyond. National Institute on Aging.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/exendin-4-lizard-laboratory-and-beyond.