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MOTS-c vs Retatrutide: What the Research Shows

MOTS-c and Retatrutide side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
Mitochondrial-derived peptidePCAC voted 7–5 for 503A (Jul 2026)MOTS-cMitochondrial-derived peptide; human studies found only measured the body's own circulating levels (for example after repeated heat treatment), not administered MOTS-c.[8]GLP-1 & metabolic+437% searchesGLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonistInvestigational · phase 3RetatrutideInvestigational triple GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, not FDA-approved; a phase 3 TRIUMPH trial reported mean weight change of -25.0% at the 12-mg dose versus -3.9% with placebo.[1]GLP-1 & metabolic+172% searches
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider MOTS-c if…

  • you are weighing human evidence that, in our search, only measured the body's own MOTS-c (none gave it as a treatment): exercise raised plasma MOTS-c in non-Hispanic White survivors but not Hispanic survivors[10]

Consider Retatrutide if…

  • you are weighing an investigational option (no FDA-approved product yet): the TRIUMPH trial reported mean weight change of -25.0% with the 12-mg dose versus -3.9% with placebo[1]
  • you want to know where approval stands: Lilly states it plans to submit a Biologics License Application to the FDA, a submission plan and not an approval[21]

What they have in common

  • MOTS-c is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition[6]
  • Retatrutide is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition (as a drug with no approval anywhere)[6]
Neither is FDA approved for any use in people. Both are prohibited in tested sport (WADA). Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 12 of 14 fields where the two differ. Category, Evidence strength are the same or both unknown.

FieldMOTS-cRetatrutide
ClassMitochondrial-derived peptideGLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist
Also calledmotsreta, GLP-3, LY3437943
FDA statusPCAC voted 7–5 for 503A (Jul 2026)Investigational · phase 3
PCAC vote, Jul 2026PCAC voted 7–5 for the 503A list (Jul 2026); not finalizedNot on the Jul 2026 agenda
WADAProhibited by WADA (S4.4.1)MOTS-c is named in S4.4.1 (metabolic modulators: AMPK activators), prohibited at all times.Prohibited by WADA (S0)Retatrutide is not named, and GLP-1/amylin class agonists are not listed. But it is an investigational drug with no approval in the sources we reviewed, and S0 prohibits drugs under clinical development that no authority has approved. If it is approved somewhere this would change.
Anti-doping detection
  • A plasma (blood) test for MOTS-c has been validated to WADA standards.PMID 30394592
None reportedanti-doping literature, as of 2 Oct 2026
Half-lifeNo published half-life foundPubMed search, 2 Oct 2026approximately 6 dayssubcutaneous · Lancet 2022, PMID 36354040
Human studies we summarised7 human (4 randomized or controlled) of 15 summarised11 human (11 randomized or controlled) of 16 summarised
Typical study doses
Vial sizes sold5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg5 mg, 10 mg, 12 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 24 mg, 30 mg, 36 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg
US searches per month60,500 · +437% searches823,000 · +172% searches
Named in FDA warning letters, 2026Not in the letters we trackYes (24 Aug 2026; 31 Mar 2026)

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Taken together?

MOTS-c and Retatrutide together

People also search for this pair as a stack. The stack page covers timing and interaction questions as they are sourced. Evidence for the combination: No studies tested these together (PubMed search: 0 results, 2 Oct 2026).

Open the stack page
StackMOTS-c + Retatrutide, taken as separate injectionsStack page

Sources

  1. 1Retatrutide phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 results publishedNEJM (PubMed 42814954) · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2FDA warning letters to five research-peptide sellersFDA warning letter (NuScience Peptides; 1 of 5) · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3Eli Lilly sues six retatrutide sellersEli Lilly (press release) · 2026investor.lilly.comAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4FDA gives notice that 12 peptides will be removed from Category 2 (nominations withdrawn)FDA · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5Seven FDA warning letters to online sellers of GLP-1 productsFDA warning letter (Gram Peptides; 1 of 7) · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Development of a mass spectrometry based detection method for the mitochondrion-derived peptide MOTS-c in plasma samples for doping control purposes.Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM · 2019PMID 30394592Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Repeated Heat Stress Modulates the Levels of the Mitokines MOTS-C and FGF21 in Active Men during Calf Muscle Immobilization.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2025PMID 40674654Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9Circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with breast cancer treated with metformin.Aging · 2022PMID 36490309Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors.Scientific reports · 2021PMID 34413391Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) (262 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (humans[mh] OR human[tiab] OR participants[tiab] OR patients[tiab] OR volunteers[tiab]) (179 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR "clinical trial"[pt] OR "meta-analysis"[pt] OR "systematic review"[pt]) (5 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  14. 14PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (mice[tiab] OR mouse[tiab] OR rat[tiab] OR rats[tiab]) AND (injection[tiab] OR treatment[tiab] OR administration[tiab] OR treated[tiab]) (72 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  15. 15PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (half-life[tiab] OR pharmacokinetic*[tiab]) (3 results)PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  16. 16LY3437943, a novel triple GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptor agonist in people with type 2 diabetes: a phase 1b, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multiple-ascending dose trial.Lancet (London, England) · 2022PMID 36354040Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  17. 17Retatrutide-Associated Improvements in Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Adults With Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes.Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026PMID 42608321Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  18. 18Effects of retatrutide on body composition in people with type 2 diabetes: a substudy of a phase 2, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomised trial.The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · 2025PMID 40609566Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  19. 19PubMed search: ("MOTS-c"[tiab] OR MOTSc[tiab]) AND (retatrutide[tiab] OR LY3437943[tiab])PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  20. 20Advisory committee backs 6 of 7 peptides for the 503A listNCPA · 2026ncpa.org
  21. 21Official web pageOfficial web page · web page

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