Research Literature
Foundational Papers
These papers provide essential background on GLP-1 biology and pharmacology:
- Holst JJ (2007). “The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1.” Physiological Reviews, 87(4), 1409-1439. A comprehensive review of GLP-1 physiology from one of the leading researchers in the field.
- Drucker DJ (2018). “Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application of Glucagon-like Peptide-1.” Cell Metabolism, 27(4), 740-756. An accessible overview of GLP-1 RA mechanisms.
- Nauck MA, Meier JJ (2018). “Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease.” Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 20(S1), 5-21. Broad review of incretin biology including GLP-1 and GIP.
Clinical Trial Programmes
- SUSTAIN programme: Phase 3 trials evaluating semaglutide across multiple clinical endpoints.
- PIONEER programme: Oral semaglutide trials examining efficacy and safety.
- SURPASS programme: Tirzepatide trials comparing against established therapies.
- SURMOUNT programme: Tirzepatide trials examining weight management outcomes.
- LEAD programme: Liraglutide trials across the metabolic disease spectrum.
- REWIND: Cardiovascular outcomes trial for dulaglutide.
- SUSTAIN-6: Cardiovascular outcomes trial for semaglutide.
Review Articles
- Wang JY et al. (2024). “GLP-1 receptor agonists: an updated review of their clinical applications.” Published reviews covering the expanding therapeutic landscape.
- Müller TD et al. (2019). “Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).” Molecular Metabolism, 30, 72-130. Comprehensive review of GLP-1 biology.
Australian Regulatory Resources
TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
- TGA Website: tga.gov.au - The primary source for Australian therapeutic goods regulation.
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG): Searchable database of approved therapeutic goods in Australia.
- Scheduling of medicines and poisons: Understanding how substances are classified under the Poisons Standard.
Key Regulatory Concepts
- Schedule 4 (Prescription Only): Most GLP-1 RAs are Schedule 4 in Australia, requiring a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
- Special Access Scheme (SAS): Allows access to unapproved therapeutic goods on a case-by-case basis under certain conditions.
- Personal Importation Scheme: Rules governing the importation of therapeutic goods for personal use. Understanding these rules is essential for anyone researching peptide availability in Australia.
- Poisons Standard: The legislative instrument that classifies substances into schedules. Available on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Research Chemical Regulations
- Understanding the distinction between “research use” and “therapeutic use” under Australian law
- The legal framework around importing research peptides into Australia
- State-level variations in regulation enforcement
Educational Resources
Pharmacology Basics
For those new to peptide pharmacology, these resources provide accessible foundations:
- Khan Academy - Pharmacology: Free online modules covering drug mechanisms, receptor binding, and pharmacokinetics.
- PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): The primary database for biomedical literature. Learning to search and filter effectively is a valuable skill.
- Google Scholar (scholar.google.com): Broader academic search including preprints and citations.
Understanding Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Registry of clinical trials worldwide. Search for ongoing and completed GLP-1 trials.
- CONSORT guidelines: Standards for reporting randomised controlled trials. Understanding these helps evaluate study quality.
- Cochrane Library: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. A reliable source for synthesised evidence.
Peptide Science
- UniProt (uniprot.org): Protein sequence and functional information database.
- PubChem (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): Chemical compound database with structure, properties, and biological activity data.
- ExPASy - PeptideMass: Tools for peptide analysis and characterisation.
Community-Curated Reading
Our community regularly shares and discusses reading material. Some frequently recommended starting points:
- Start with the Holst (2007) review for GLP-1 fundamentals
- Move to Drucker (2018) for clinical mechanism understanding
- Read individual trial publications for specific compounds of interest
- Review TGA scheduling documents for regulatory context
- Follow PubMed alerts for new GLP-1 research publications
This reading list is updated periodically by community members. Suggest additions in our Telegram group.
Research-Grade Compounds
Our community members often ask where to find research-grade peptides with proper COAs and batch testing. One supplier that consistently meets our community’s standards:
Kinetic Labs — Australian-based research peptide supplier. All compounds are independently tested (HPLC/MS), with batch-specific COAs available. Ships domestically with secure, discreet packaging. They also have a Telegram shop for easy ordering.
We do not receive commissions or incentives for this mention. This is a community recommendation based on member experience and verified testing data.
Disclaimer
These resources are provided for educational and research literacy purposes only. Their inclusion does not constitute endorsement of any product, treatment, or therapeutic approach. Always verify information against primary sources and consult qualified professionals for medical decisions.
Related Reading
- GLP-1 Peptides Guide - Comprehensive overview of GLP-1 receptor agonist research with clinical trial data
- Research Compounds - Educational overviews of individual peptides and research compounds
- Research - Research methodology and reading research critically
- FAQ - Common questions about Grey Highway and peptide research