Pemvidutide

Also known as: ALT-801

Investigational once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist from Altimmune, in a phase 3 trial for MASH as of 2026. Not FDA-approved.

Last updated October 26, 2026

Mechanism of Action

Pemvidutide is a peptide agonist of both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, designed with balanced (roughly 1:1) activity at the two. GLP-1 receptor activation reduces appetite and food intake, while glucagon receptor activation in the liver increases fatty acid oxidation and energy expenditure and directly reduces liver fat. The combination is aimed at weight loss and at liver diseases driven by fat accumulation, such as MASLD and MASH.

Half-life: Not well established (dosed once weekly in trials)
Administration Routes: Subcutaneous
Research Status: Clinical

Reported Benefits

Reduced liver fat in a randomized trial in MASLD
Studied for resolution of MASH in the phase 2b IMPACT trial
Studied for weight reduction in adults with obesity

Potential Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea and constipation
Decreased appetite
Long-term safety not yet established

Common Dosing

No approved dose; trial regimens have used fixed once-weekly subcutaneous doses in the 1.2 to 2.4 mg range. Use is limited to clinical trials, where dosing is set and supervised by the prescribing clinician.

The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.

Contraindications

Investigational: not established

No documented stacking partners for Pemvidutide yet.

Safety and efficacy of weekly pemvidutide versus placebo for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (IMPACT): 24-week results from a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 2b study
2025
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Effect of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, on MASLD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
2025
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Safety and efficacy of 24 weeks of pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A randomized, controlled clinical trial
2025
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No. As of October 2026 it is investigational: Altimmune began the phase 3 PERFORMA trial in MASH in August 2026, after FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for MASH, with 52-week data expected in 2029.

Semaglutide acts only on the GLP-1 receptor. Pemvidutide also activates the glucagon receptor, which acts on the liver to burn fat, which is why it is being developed mainly for fatty liver disease.