Retatrutide
Triple incretin receptor agonist
An experimental peptide that acts on three hormone receptors. Researchers studied it in phase 2 trials involving weight and blood sugar.
Ipamorelin
A laboratory-made peptide that acts on the ghrelin receptor. Early human research ended without the compound becoming an authorised medicine.
Regulatory status: Not licensed as a medicine in the United Kingdom. It holds no MHRA marketing authorisation, has no approved indication, and is not approved for human or animal use.
Hormone & signalling research
Research stage: Early human research; development stopped
Cells
Animal studies
Human trials
The research pathway — not every compound has reached human trials. Illustrations are simplified, not study results.
What it is
Ipamorelin is a laboratory-made chain of five amino acids. It was designed to trigger the release of growth hormone.
How researchers think it works
Laboratory studies found that ipamorelin activated the ghrelin receptor, which can signal the release of growth hormone. Researchers reported that it affected cortisol and prolactin less than some earlier compounds.
What has research seen in people?
Animal studies reported increased release of growth hormone.
Early human research looked at slow bowel recovery after surgery, then the development programme stopped and no medicine was approved.
The human record is small and dated, so nothing about longer-term effects in people is established.
Where this material is listed
For laboratory research use only. Not a medicine and not for human or animal use.
Veritide does not sell or supply anything. This links to a third-party UK laboratory supplier; we may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you. Materials are sold for laboratory research use only and are not licensed medicines.
What studies have found
- Animal studies reported an increase in growth hormone release.
- Early human studies examined delayed bowel recovery after surgery. Development later stopped, and the compound was not authorised as a medicine.
- Few recent human studies had been published.
What we still do not know
- The human evidence was limited and old. Research did not reach completed phase 3 trials for an approved medical use.
- Studies from discontinued research programmes were not always published, so the available record may be incomplete.
Sources
Related profiles
Mazdutide
Dual GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
An experimental peptide based on a natural gut hormone. Researchers studied it mainly in phase 2 and phase 3 trials in China.
BPC-157
Synthetic pentadecapeptide
A laboratory-made peptide made of 15 amino acids. Almost all published research involved cells or rodents rather than people.