Adipotide is a peptidomimetic compound that has been shown to possess pro-apoptotic properties that do cause weight loss in rhesus monkeys and mice. Its sequence is CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2. Studies have shown that its mode of action involves the selective apoptosis of blood vessels supplying the white adipose tissue. Adipotide causes such vessels to undergo atrophy (shrinkage) and eventually apoptosis (cell death), thus cutting off the blood supply to the fat cells. This results in ischemic injury, which is a lack of blood supply and oxygen to the fat cells. The effects are non-reversible, so the fat cells also undergo apoptosis or cell death.

Molecular analysis has shown that the stereo-chemical structure of Adipotide enables it to bind to two specific receptors that are exclusively found in blood vessels that supply white adipose tissue. These receptors are prohibitin and ANXA-2. Due to the tissue specificity of these receptors, Adipotide does not have any effect on the brown adipose tissue, thus it does not affect the adaptive brown fat thermogenesis. Brown fat thermogenesis is especially vital for babies because they have limited capacity for heat conservation as the body surface area to volume ration favors high rates of heat loss. The white adipose tissue is formed only when energy consumption exceeds energy utilization.