What is the difference between Lixisenatide and Semaglutide?

Lixisenatide is classified as: Short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (exendin-4 based incretin mimetic). Semaglutide is classified as: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Lixisenatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Semaglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction.

Is Lixisenatide or Semaglutide approved?

Lixisenatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Semaglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.

How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for Lixisenatide and Semaglutide?

Peptide Science Daily tracks 75 registered clinical trials for Lixisenatide (evidence grade A) and 500 for Semaglutide (evidence grade A).

Compound comparison

Lixisenatide vs Semaglutide

This page sets Lixisenatide and Semaglutide side by side using the data recorded on Peptide Science Daily: drug class, mechanism of action, regulatory status by region, the evidence grade assigned here, and the number of clinical trials tracked. It is a neutral, factual comparison and does not rank either compound or recommend one over the other.

Side-by-side comparison

Class: Lixisenatide
Short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (exendin-4 based incretin mimetic)
Semaglutide
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Mechanism: Lixisenatide
In plain terms, lixisenatide copies a natural gut hormone that tells the body to release insulin after eating and to slow how fast the stomach empties, which blunts blood-sugar spikes and reduces appetite.
Semaglutide
In plain terms, semaglutide copies a natural gut hormone that signals fullness and helps control blood sugar.
United States (FDA): Lixisenatide
Approved as Adlyxin (NDA 208471) in July 2016 for adults with type 2 diabetes. Sanofi discontinued US sales and the standalone product was withdrawn from the US market in early 2023 for commercial reasons, not safety. The fixed-ratio insulin glargine combination Soliqua remains marketed.
Semaglutide
Approved. Ozempic for type 2 diabetes (2017, cardiovascular risk reduction added 2020); Rybelsus oral for type 2 diabetes (2019); Wegovy for chronic weight management (2021) and cardiovascular risk reduction (2024); oral Wegovy for weight management approved in 2025.
European Union (EMA): Lixisenatide
Authorised as Lyxumia on 1 February 2013 for type 2 diabetes. The marketing authorisation was withdrawn on 18 December 2025 at Sanofi's request for commercial reasons. The insulin glargine combination Suliqua remains authorised.
Semaglutide
Authorized - Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management.
Australia (TGA): Lixisenatide
Registered on the ARTG as Lyxumia in 2013 as a prescription-only medicine. Sanofi cancelled the standalone Lyxumia ARTG entry in February 2021.
Semaglutide
Registered on the ARTG - Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management, available on prescription.
WADA: Lixisenatide
Not listed as a prohibited substance on the WADA Prohibited List (2026). GLP-1 receptor agonists are not classified as prohibited in or out of competition.
Semaglutide
Not prohibited. On the WADA Monitoring Program (introduced 2024, continued into 2026); it is tracked but not a banned substance.
Evidence grade: Lixisenatide
A
Semaglutide
A
Tracked clinical trials: Lixisenatide
75
Semaglutide
500
Full profile: Lixisenatide
Lixisenatide profile
Semaglutide
Semaglutide profile

Comparison of Lixisenatide and Semaglutide by class, mechanism, regulatory status by region, evidence grade, and number of tracked clinical trials.
Attribute	Lixisenatide	Semaglutide
Class	Short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (exendin-4 based incretin mimetic)	Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Mechanism	In plain terms, lixisenatide copies a natural gut hormone that tells the body to release insulin after eating and to slow how fast the stomach empties, which blunts blood-sugar spikes and reduces appetite.	In plain terms, semaglutide copies a natural gut hormone that signals fullness and helps control blood sugar.
United States (FDA)	Approved as Adlyxin (NDA 208471) in July 2016 for adults with type 2 diabetes. Sanofi discontinued US sales and the standalone product was withdrawn from the US market in early 2023 for commercial reasons, not safety. The fixed-ratio insulin glargine combination Soliqua remains marketed.	Approved. Ozempic for type 2 diabetes (2017, cardiovascular risk reduction added 2020); Rybelsus oral for type 2 diabetes (2019); Wegovy for chronic weight management (2021) and cardiovascular risk reduction (2024); oral Wegovy for weight management approved in 2025.
European Union (EMA)	Authorised as Lyxumia on 1 February 2013 for type 2 diabetes. The marketing authorisation was withdrawn on 18 December 2025 at Sanofi's request for commercial reasons. The insulin glargine combination Suliqua remains authorised.	Authorized - Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management.
Australia (TGA)	Registered on the ARTG as Lyxumia in 2013 as a prescription-only medicine. Sanofi cancelled the standalone Lyxumia ARTG entry in February 2021.	Registered on the ARTG - Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management, available on prescription.
WADA	Not listed as a prohibited substance on the WADA Prohibited List (2026). GLP-1 receptor agonists are not classified as prohibited in or out of competition.	Not prohibited. On the WADA Monitoring Program (introduced 2024, continued into 2026); it is tracked but not a banned substance.
Evidence grade	A	A
Tracked clinical trials	75	500
Full profile	Lixisenatide profile	Semaglutide profile

Common questions

What is the difference between Lixisenatide and Semaglutide?: Lixisenatide is classified as: Short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (exendin-4 based incretin mimetic). Semaglutide is classified as: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Lixisenatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Semaglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction.
Is Lixisenatide or Semaglutide approved?: Lixisenatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Semaglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.
How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for Lixisenatide and Semaglutide?: Peptide Science Daily tracks 75 registered clinical trials for Lixisenatide (evidence grade A) and 500 for Semaglutide (evidence grade A).