NA-931 (Bioglutide): The Quad-Agonist GLP-4 Peptide Explained
NA-931 (Bioglutide) targets 4 receptors — GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, and IGF-1. Here's what the Phase 1 & 2 data shows about the world's first quad-agonist weight loss peptide.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- NA-931 (Bioglutide) is the world's first quadruple agonist peptide — simultaneously targeting IGF-1, GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.
- Unlike semaglutide (GLP-1 only) or tirzepatide (GLP-1 + GIP), NA-931 adds IGF-1 and glucagon agonism — meaning more fat loss, preserved muscle, and higher metabolic rate.
- Critically: it's designed for oral daily delivery — no injections required.
- Phase 1 trials showed ~10–13% body weight reduction at 12 weeks; Phase 2 (NCT06564753) is currently ongoing.
- Looking for a trusted source? Ascension Peptides is our top-recommended vendor for research-grade peptides.
If you've been following the GLP-1 weight loss space, you already know the progression: first came semaglutide (one receptor), then tirzepatide added GIP (two receptors), then retatrutide brought in glucagon (three receptors). Each step produced meaningfully better weight loss outcomes. Now there's a compound that takes it one step further — four receptors, oral delivery, and a muscle-preservation angle that the injectable GLP-1 drugs have largely failed to address.
That compound is NA-931, also known as Bioglutide — and it's being called the first true "quad-agonist" peptide in metabolic research. Here's everything you need to know about how it works, what the data shows, and how it stacks up against the current generation of GLP-1 drugs.
What Is NA-931 (Bioglutide)?
NA-931 is a synthetic peptide compound developed by Biomed Industries, Inc., designed as a multi-receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Unlike conventional GLP-1 receptor agonists, which act on a single hormone pathway, NA-931 was engineered to activate four distinct metabolic receptor systems simultaneously:
- IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) — insulin-like growth factor 1 pathway
- GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) — glucagon-like peptide-1 pathway
- GIP receptor (GIPR) — glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide pathway
- Glucagon receptor (GCGR) — glucagon/energy expenditure pathway
The compound derives structurally from an IGF-1 metabolite — which explains the IGF-1 receptor activity that distinguishes it from all other GLP-1-class drugs currently on the market or in late-stage development.
What makes NA-931 particularly notable beyond its receptor profile is its oral delivery format. It's being developed as a once-daily oral tablet — a significant engineering achievement for a peptide compound, where maintaining bioavailability through the digestive system is a major pharmaceutical challenge. If the Phase 2 data holds up, NA-931 could offer GLP-1-class results without a single injection.
How NA-931 Works: The Four-Receptor Mechanism
To understand why quad-agonism matters, you need to understand what each receptor does — and why hitting all four together produces effects that no single-pathway drug can match.
1. GLP-1 Receptor — The Backbone
GLP-1 is the proven foundation of modern weight loss pharmacology. When GLP-1 receptors are activated, you get:
- Potent appetite suppression via hypothalamic satiety signaling
- Glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells
- Glucagon suppression in hyperglycemic states
- Slowed gastric emptying — you stay full longer after meals
This is the same pathway that makes semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) work. NA-931 activates GLP-1 receptors as its primary anchor, then layers three additional mechanisms on top of it.
2. GIP Receptor — Amplified Insulin Response and Fat Metabolism
GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) is the second incretin hormone. Historically misunderstood, GIP co-agonism has proven to be genuinely synergistic with GLP-1 — as demonstrated by tirzepatide's superior weight loss outcomes over semaglutide head-to-head.
GIP receptor activation in NA-931 contributes:
- Enhanced post-meal insulin secretion on top of GLP-1 stimulation
- Improved lipid metabolism in adipose tissue
- Possible mitigation of GI side effects seen with high-dose GLP-1 agonism (allowing more effective dosing)
- Direct effects on fat cells — promoting healthier fat distribution patterns
3. Glucagon Receptor — Thermogenesis and Fat Burning
The glucagon component is what separates triple and quad agonists from dual agonists like tirzepatide. Glucagon receptor agonism increases basal metabolic rate and stimulates hepatic fat oxidation — essentially pushing the body to burn more calories at rest and accelerate breakdown of liver fat and stubborn trunk fat.
The obvious risk: glucagon normally raises blood glucose, which would be dangerous in a weight loss context. NA-931's design neutralizes this by layering GLP-1 and GIP (both insulin-releasing) alongside the glucagon signal, keeping blood sugar balanced while capturing glucagon's thermogenic benefit.
4. IGF-1 Receptor — The Muscle Preservation Differentiator
This is where NA-931 breaks new ground. No currently approved GLP-1-class drug targets the IGF-1 receptor — this is NA-931's unique contribution to the quad-agonist design.
Obesity is frequently accompanied by blunted GH/IGF-1 activity — obese individuals tend to have subnormal IGF-1 levels, which correlates directly with higher body fat percentage and reduced insulin sensitivity. Activating the IGF-1 receptor addresses this directly:
- Muscle preservation: IGF-1 signaling is anabolic — it promotes muscle protein synthesis and inhibits protein breakdown. This directly counteracts the lean mass loss that plagues GLP-1 users during rapid weight reduction.
- Improved insulin sensitivity: IGF-1 pathway activation via PI3K/Akt improves glucose uptake in muscle tissue
- Glucagon suppression: IGF-1 signaling can suppress excess glucagon release from pancreatic α-cells, adding another layer of glucose regulation
The muscle loss problem with semaglutide and tirzepatide has been one of the most significant criticisms of GLP-1 drugs in the fitness community. Preliminary data suggests NA-931's IGF-1 component meaningfully reduces this effect — potentially making it the first weight loss compound that can achieve significant fat reduction without sacrificing lean mass.
NA-931 Clinical Trials: What the Data Shows
NA-931 has completed Phase 1 trials with results published in Endocrine Practice (2025), and is currently in Phase 2 trials (NCT06564753) examining efficacy and safety in overweight and obese subjects with metabolic dysfunction.
Phase 1 Results
Phase 1 demonstrated that NA-931 was well-tolerated across the dosing range, with a cleaner GI side effect profile than would be expected from a compound of this potency. The 10–13% body weight reduction at 12 weeks in the absence of intensive lifestyle intervention is particularly notable — for comparison, semaglutide at maximum dose achieves ~15% over 68 weeks in STEP trials, while tirzepatide reaches ~20% at the highest dose over similar timeframes. NA-931's 12-week figures suggest a high rate of weight loss acceleration early in treatment.
Glucose Control
Beyond weight, metabolic markers improved substantially:
- HbA1c reductions of 1.5–2.2% place it in competitive territory with approved diabetes medications
- Significant reduction in postprandial glucose spikes
- 30%+ improvement in insulin sensitivity — relevant not just for diabetics but for anyone with metabolic dysfunction or insulin resistance affecting body composition
Phase 2 Trial (NCT06564753)
The ongoing Phase 2 study is examining NA-931 across longer treatment periods in a broader patient population. Results are not yet available publicly. The trial excludes individuals who have used GLP-1 or GIP agonists within 6 months of screening — which will produce cleaner data on NA-931's standalone efficacy versus GLP-1 drug-naive subjects.
NA-931 vs. Current GLP-1 Drugs: How It Compares
| Feature | NA-931 (Bioglutide) | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | Retatrutide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receptors targeted | 4 (GLP-1, GIP, GCG, IGF-1) | 1 (GLP-1) | 2 (GLP-1, GIP) | 3 (GLP-1, GIP, GCG) |
| Delivery | Oral daily | Weekly injection (or daily oral) | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Half-life (est.) | 16–24 hours | ~7 days | ~5 days | ~6 days |
| Muscle preservation | High (IGF-1 component) | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Clinical stage | Phase 2 | Approved | Approved | Phase 3 |
| GI side effects | Lower reported incidence | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
The comparison that matters most for the biohacking and body composition community: NA-931 is the only compound in this class that directly addresses muscle loss via IGF-1R agonism. Every other GLP-1 drug, including tirzepatide and retatrutide, produces some degree of lean mass loss alongside fat loss. The IGF-1 component is a genuine differentiator — not just marketing.
For more on where retatrutide sits in the current pipeline, see our retatrutide FDA approval timeline. For a full breakdown of how triple agonists compare, read our triple agonist weight loss guide.
NA-931 Benefits: What to Expect
Fat Loss — Visceral and Subcutaneous
The combination of GLP-1 (appetite suppression), GIP (lipid metabolism), glucagon (thermogenesis and hepatic fat oxidation), and IGF-1 (improved insulin sensitivity) produces a multi-pronged attack on body fat. Early data suggests particular effectiveness against visceral fat and liver fat — the metabolically dangerous fat deposits that single-pathway GLP-1 drugs already target well, but that NA-931 attacks from additional angles via glucagon receptor activation.
Muscle Preservation During Weight Loss
This is the clinical story that will define NA-931's reputation if Phase 2 confirms Phase 1 signals. Losing 10–15% of body weight while maintaining lean mass would represent a meaningful advance over existing approved therapies. For fitness-oriented users who've avoided GLP-1 drugs specifically because of muscle loss concerns, NA-931's IGF-1 component is the answer they've been waiting for. See our guides on IGF-1 LR3 and peptides for muscle preservation for related context.
Glucose and Metabolic Control
The HbA1c reduction data (1.5–2.2%) puts NA-931 in serious territory for type 2 diabetes management — not just obesity. The insulin sensitivity improvement (30%+) is also meaningful for body composition goals beyond pure weight loss, as improved insulin sensitivity directly affects nutrient partitioning and fat storage patterns.
Oral Delivery — No Injections
For anyone who has run injectable GLP-1 protocols, the needle fatigue from weekly injections is a real adherence factor. NA-931's oral format — once daily, with or without food — is a significant quality-of-life improvement. Whether this translates to better real-world outcomes through higher adherence is exactly what Phase 2 will help determine.
Potentially Cleaner Side Effect Profile
Early trial data and anecdotal reports from early-access programs suggest fewer GI side effects than comparable injectable GLP-1 drugs. This may be partly attributable to the GIP component modulating GLP-1's GI effects, and partly to the oral formulation's pharmacokinetics. This is tentative until more Phase 2 data is available — but it's a promising early signal.
NA-931 Dosing Protocol
Based on Phase 1 trial data and early reports:
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial (Week 1) | 2.5 mg | Once daily | 7 days |
| Escalation | +2.5 mg weekly | Once daily | Until target dose |
| Maintenance | 5–10 mg | Once daily | Protocol-dependent |
Estimated half-life of 16–24 hours supports once-daily oral dosing. Timing appears flexible (morning recommended for consistency with circadian metabolic rhythms). The low starting dose and gradual titration is consistent with standard GLP-1-class protocols — the goal is minimizing GI adaptation symptoms during the initial weeks.
Where to Source NA-931
As an investigational compound in active clinical trials, NA-931 exists in the same gray zone as other research-stage peptides. For those sourcing it for research purposes, vendor quality is even more critical than with established compounds — the purity and identity verification requirements are non-negotiable.
Our recommended vendor for research peptides, including emerging pipeline compounds, is Ascension Peptides. They carry independent third-party COAs on all products, consistently hit 99%+ purity, and ship domestically within the US. If NA-931 availability is a question for your specific research application, their support team can give you a direct answer on catalog status.
Pro Tip
When sourcing any investigational compound, always verify the COA before use — particularly for peptides like NA-931 where the research is still ongoing and product verification is critical. Read our guide to reading peptide COAs to know exactly what to check. For vendor selection more broadly, see our complete peptide buyer's guide.
NA-931 vs. the Current Pipeline: The Bigger Picture
The progression from single to dual to triple to quad agonism represents a real pharmacological trend — each additional receptor target has, so far, translated to meaningfully better metabolic outcomes. The question for NA-931 is whether the IGF-1R component delivers on its muscle-preservation promise in Phase 2 at scale.
If it does, NA-931 resolves the biggest unsolved problem with GLP-1 drugs in body composition contexts: you can lose weight aggressively without sacrificing muscle. Combined with oral delivery, that's a meaningful leap forward from even the best injectable triple agonists currently in development.
For context on where other pipeline compounds stand, see our coverage of retatrutide, triple agonists, and the broader next-generation GLP-1 pipeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
NA-931 / Bioglutide represents what may be the most ambitious design in the GLP-1 drug evolution to date. Quad-receptor agonism — hitting GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, and IGF-1 simultaneously — addresses the fat loss, glucose control, metabolic rate, and critically the muscle preservation gaps that no current approved therapy fully solves. Add oral delivery, and the clinical profile looks compelling.
Phase 2 data will be the real verdict. But the Phase 1 signals — 10–13% weight loss at 12 weeks with a clean safety profile — make NA-931 one of the most interesting pipeline compounds to watch in 2026.
For research-grade peptides with verified COA documentation and domestic US shipping, Ascension Peptides is our recommended source. Check their current catalog for availability.
