Analysis of the Advantages of China's Tirzepatide Intermediate
Publish Time:
2025-09-11
Against the backdrop of the global rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes incidence, tirzepatide, as an innovative drug, has attracted widespread attention. It is a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, which can synergistically regulate appetite, calorie intake, and metabolic function. In May 2022, tirzepatide was approved by the US FDA to improve blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes. In November 2023, it was approved as a weight loss drug, and in May 2024, it was approved in China for improving blood glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes. With the growing market demand for tirzepatide, the supply of key intermediates in its production process has also attracted attention. China has demonstrated significant advantages in the field of tirzepatide intermediates.
Advantages of Tirzepatide Intermediates in China
Abundant and Stable Raw Material Supply
China has strong production capacity and a complete industrial system in the field of basic chemical raw materials. Taking the synthesis of eicosanedioic acid as an example, its raw materials such as long-chain olefins or alcohols are abundantly supplied in China. Many domestic chemical companies can produce these basic raw materials on a large scale with stable supply and relatively reasonable prices. This enables Chinese tirzepatide intermediate manufacturers to ensure production continuity and gain cost advantages when sourcing raw materials. Compared to countries and regions relying on imported raw materials, Chinese companies reduce risks caused by fluctuations in the international raw material market, laying a solid foundation for the stable production of tirzepatide intermediates.
| Tongjun Pharmaceuticals - Tirzepatide Industry Chain Product List | ||||||
| Serial Number | Product Code | Product Series | Product Name | CAS Number | Molecular Formula | Molecular Weight |
| 1 | CG-SMG-002 | GLP-1 Side Chain | AEEA | 134978-97-5 | C 6 H 13 NO 4 | 163.17 |
| 2 | CG-SMG-003 | GLP-1 Side Chain | AEEA-AEEA | 1143516-05-5 | C 12 H 24 N 2 O 7 | 308.33 |
| 3 | CG-SMG-004 | GLP-1 Side Chain | Fmoc-AEEA-OH | 166108-71-0 | C 21 H 23 NO 6 | 385.42 |
| 4 | CG-SMG-004-1 | GLP-1 Side Chain | Fmoc-AEEA-AEEA-OH | 560088-89-3 | C 27 H 34 N 2 O 9 | 530.58 |
| 5 | CG-SMG-017 | GLP-1 Side Chain | HO-Ste-L-Glu(AEEA-AEEA-OSU)-OH | 1169630-40-3 | C 39 H 66 N 4 O 15 | 830.97 |
| 6 | CG-SMG-020 | GLP-1 Side Chain | 20-(tert-butoxy)-20-oxoicosanoic acid | 683239-16-9 | C 24 H 46 O 4 | 398.62 |
| 7 | CG-SMG-021 | GLP-1 Side Chain | tBuO-C20-L-Glu-OtBu | 1119061-70-9 | C 33 H 61 NO 7 | 583.85 |
| 8 | CG-SMG-022 | GLP-1 Side Chain | tBuO-C20-L-Glu(AEEA-AEEA-OH)-OtBu | 1188328-37-1 | C 45 H 83 N 3 O 13 | 874.17 |
| 9 | CG-SMG-025 | GLP-1 Side Chain | Fmoc-L-Lys[tBuO-C20-L-Glu(AEEA-AEEA)-OtBu]-OH | 2915356-76-0 2460751-66-8 |
C 66 H 105 N 5 O 16 | 1224.58 |
| 10 | CG-SMG-026 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Tirzepatide Frag AA30-39 | 2656383-23-0 | C 48 H 81 N 11 O 13. C 2 F 3 O 2 | 1134.25 |
| 11 | CG-SMG-027 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Tirzepatide Frag AA22-29 | 2461524-68-3 | C 86 H 100 N 10 O 14 | 1497.77 |
| 12 | CG-SMG-028 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Tirzepatide Frag AA15-21 | 2656383-24-1 | C 121 H 181N13 O 27 | 2249.8 |
| 13 | CG-SMG-029 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Tirzepatide Frag AA1-14 | 2656383-25-2 | C 109 H 176 N 14 O 27 | 2114.64 |
| 14 | CG-TIR-001 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Boc-Tyr(tBu)-Aib-Glu(OtBu)-Gly-OH | 2682040-93-1 | C 33 H 52 N 4 O 10 | 664.79 |
| 15 | CG-TIR-002 | Tirzepatide Fragments | Fmoc-Tyr(tBu)-Aib-Glu(OtBu)-Gly-OH | 3034670-52-2 | C 43 H 54 N 4 O 10 | 786.91 |
| 16 | CG-TIR-003 | Short Peptide Intermediates | Boc-Tyr(tBu)-Aib-OH | 2639221-78-4 | C 22 H 34 N 2 O 6 | 422.52 |
| 17 | CG-TIR-004 | Short Peptide Intermediates |
Fmoc-Tyr(tBu)-Aib-OH | 2645414-22-6 | C 32 H 36 N 2 O 6 | 544.64 |
| 18 | CG-TIR-005 | Short Peptide Intermediates | Fmoc-Glu(OtBu)-Aib-OH | 866044-63-5 | C 26 H 30 N 2 O 7 | 482.53 |
| 19 | CG-TIR-006 | Short Peptide Intermediates | Fmoc-Ile-Aib-OH | 2171139-20-9 | C 25 H 30 N 2 O 5 | 438.52 |
| 20 | CG-TIR-007 | Short Peptide Intermediates | Fmoc-Ala-Gly-OH | 116747-54-7 | C 20 H 20 N 2 O 5 | 368.39 |
Technological Innovation and Process Optimization Capability
China has continuously invested in research and development in pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis technology and achieved significant progress. Some companies have innovated in the synthesis process of tirzepatide intermediates, such as adopting new reaction routes and catalysts in synthesizing certain key intermediates, improving reaction selectivity and yield. Tongjun Pharmaceuticals uses a self-developed process for supplying the key hydrophilic linker AEEA series intermediates, which are free of β-alanine impurities, with high purity and stable quality. Some companies have improved the synthesis efficiency and purity of tirzepatide fragments by optimizing peptide synthesis technology. This technological innovation and process optimization capability not only enhances the quality of Chinese tirzepatide intermediates but also reduces production costs and strengthens product competitiveness in the international market.
Complete Industrial Chain Support
China has a complete supporting system for the pharmaceutical industry chain. From the production of basic chemical raw materials and intermediate synthesis to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations, each link is closely connected. In the production process of tirzepatide intermediates, upstream and downstream enterprises can achieve efficient collaboration. Intermediate manufacturers can promptly communicate with raw material suppliers and adjust raw material procurement plans according to production needs; at the same time, they maintain close contact with downstream tirzepatide API and formulation manufacturers to ensure that the quality and specifications of intermediates meet subsequent production requirements. This comprehensive industrial chain support greatly improves production efficiency, shortens product research and development and production cycles, giving China a significant synergistic advantage in tirzepatide intermediate production and overall drug manufacturing.
Professional Talent Reserve and Training
China has a large and professional talent pool in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, and biomedicine. Many universities and research institutions offer related programs, cultivating a large number of high-quality professionals for the industry. These professionals play an important role in the research, development, and production of tirzepatide intermediates. They apply advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills to innovate processes and control quality. Enterprises also emphasize talent cultivation and recruitment, continuously improving employees' professional competence and technical levels through internal training and cooperation with universities and research institutions. The reserve and training of professional talent provide strong intellectual support for the sustainable development of China's tirzepatide intermediate industry.
Policy Support and Industrial Environment
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of the biopharmaceutical industry and has introduced a series of policies to encourage innovative drug research and development and related industries. In the production of tirzepatide intermediates, the government provides support in project approvals, tax incentives, research subsidies, and more. For example, pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturers that meet certain conditions receive tax reductions, encouraging enterprises to increase R&D investment. A favorable industrial environment has attracted substantial capital investment, promoting technological upgrades and scale expansion of enterprises. Various regions actively build biopharmaceutical industrial parks, providing enterprises with comprehensive infrastructure and supporting services, further driving the agglomeration development of the tirzepatide intermediate industry.
Conclusion
China holds an important position in the global tirzepatide production and market competition due to its abundant and stable raw material supply, strong technological innovation capabilities, complete industrial chain support, professional talent reserve, and favorable policy support and industrial environment. With the further growth of global demand for tirzepatide, China's tirzepatide intermediate industry is expected to embrace greater development opportunities. By continuously optimizing its advantages and improving product quality and production efficiency, it aims to provide higher-quality and more cost-effective drug solutions for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes worldwide, while also promoting the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry to reach higher levels of development.
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