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.
Tesamorelin
A laboratory-made version of a natural hormone. Human trials were published, but it is not licensed as a medicine in the UK.
Regulatory status: Not licensed as a medicine in the United Kingdom. It holds no MHRA marketing authorisation and is not approved for human or animal use here, notwithstanding its authorisation in another jurisdiction.
Hormone & signalling research
Research stage: Phase 3 results published; licensed for one condition in the United States
Cells
Animal studies
Human trials
The research pathway — not every compound has reached human trials. Illustrations are simplified, not study results.
What it is
Tesamorelin is a laboratory-made version of growth hormone-releasing hormone, or GHRH. It was designed to last longer before the body broke it down.
How researchers think it works
Studies found that tesamorelin acted on GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland. This prompted the body to release growth hormone and changed levels of a related marker called IGF-1.
What has research seen in people?
This one does have completed human trials. Late-stage studies in adults with HIV-related fat changes reported reductions in fat around the organs on CT scans compared with placebo.
Those trials also tracked blood sugar and IGF-1, a marker linked to growth hormone.
It is licensed in the United States for that one specific condition only, and the trials studied that group alone — the findings were not extended to anyone else.
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
- Phase 3 trials published in major medical journals studied adults with HIV-related changes in body fat. Researchers reported changes in fat around the organs, measured by CT scans, compared with placebo.
- Researchers also measured IGF-1, blood sugar and side effects.
- The United States authorised tesamorelin for one specific medical condition.
What we still do not know
- The trials studied a very specific group: adults with HIV-related changes in body fat. The findings did not cover other groups.
- Published evidence did not establish effects in other populations.
Sources
Related profiles
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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.