By Frankie Fattorini | September 2, 2026
Karsten Eastman, CEO of Sethera Therapeutics, discusses developments in peptides from cutting-edge innovation to mass consumption.
The FDA’s acceptance of several untested peptides for human use has left one drug innovator calling for a greater clarity of understanding around a drug class that is widely known but often poorly understood.
Peptides have become some of the most profitable medicines in the world as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have generated billions of dollars. GLP-1Ras have been so successful that regulators have had to contend with a shadow industry of compounders that offer unauthorised versions of the blockbuster drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Beyond GLP-1RAs, peptide drugs are also highly sought after for their versatility. Their potential to enhance the immune system, gut health, and other aspects in the wellness industry has spurred a huge online market for these drugs, many of which are unauthorised and scarcely studied in humans. Online trends focused on “biohacking” and “looksmaxxing” have further increased the demand for such drugs for their promised aesthetic benefits.