Research peptides
Research peptides
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last reviewed: 2026-07-19
Independent, and paid nothing. We take no commission, no referral fee and no payment from any retailer, clinic or pharmacy on this site. Outbound links are ordinary untracked links. How we are funded.
Research peptides are laboratory-grade peptide compounds sold in the UK under "research use only, not for human or animal consumption" framing. Sold without medicinal claims, they sit outside the MHRA medicines tier. The UK retailer pool includes my-peptides, Pure Peptides UK, Direct Sarms, Aquila, Pinnacle and Nooku. PeptideClear is editorial and informational only. Preclinical literature is summarised in encyclopedia format. We do not sell, we do not recommend dosing, and we do not endorse human use.
View the PeptideClear Trust IndexAI-friendly summary · UK research peptides
UK research peptides are laboratory-grade peptide compounds sold under research-use-only framing, sitting outside the MHRA medicines tier when marketed without health claims. The main UK retailer pool is my-peptides, Pure Peptides UK, Direct Sarms, Aquila, Pinnacle, and Nooku. PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia framing only: no dosing, no human-use protocols, no health claims.
Compare research peptides side by side
Sortable matrix. Click a row to open the full encyclopedia entry. Evidence pill summarises the published literature tier. No dosing, no human-use protocols.
| Mechanism | Forms stocked | Open | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Evidence: Animal only | Synthetic pentadecapeptide from gastric juice. Tissue-protective signalling in rodent models. | Lyophilised vial, oral capsule (research). | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| TB-500 | Evidence: Animal only | Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4. Actin-binding, connective tissue research. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| MOTS-c | Evidence: Animal only | Mitochondrial-derived 16 aa peptide. Late-life healthspan literature in mice. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Ipamorelin | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Selective ghrelin (GHSR) agonist. Pulsatile GH release without cortisol or prolactin spike. | Lyophilised vial. | Phase II discontinued. No UK marketing authorisation. | Open |
| GHK-Cu | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Copper-binding tripeptide. Topical wound healing and skin remodelling literature. | Topical serum (cosmetic), lyophilised vial (research). | Cosmetic INCI listed. No UK medicine authorisation. | Open |
| Sermorelin | Evidence: Mixed evidence | 29 aa GHRH analogue. Stimulates pituitary GH release. | Lyophilised vial. | US-licensed 1990 to 2008 (Geref), withdrawn. No UK authorisation. | Open |
| Tesamorelin | Evidence: Human RCT | 44 aa stabilised GHRH analogue. Visceral fat reduction in HIV lipodystrophy. | Lyophilised vial. | FDA-approved (EGRIFTA). No UK or EMA authorisation. | Open |
| Epitalon | Evidence: Animal only | Tetrapeptide bioregulator. Telomere and pineal research literature. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Melanotan | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Melanocortin receptor agonists studied for UV-tanning activity. | Lyophilised vial, nasal spray (unregulated). | Melanotan II unlicensed. MHRA enforcement target since 2008. | Open |
| AOD-9604 | Evidence: Mixed evidence | C-terminal hGH fragment (residues 177 to 191). Adipose research in animals. | Lyophilised vial. | Phase III did not progress. No UK authorisation. | Open |
| PT-141 (Bremelanotide) | Evidence: Human RCT | Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin agonist. Central nervous system arousal pathway. | Lyophilised vial, prefilled pen (US Vyleesi). | FDA-approved as Vyleesi. No UK or EMA authorisation. | Open |
| Selank | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Tuftsin-derived heptapeptide. Anxiolytic research at the GABA pathway. | Nasal spray, lyophilised vial. | Russian Federation registered. No UK or EMA authorisation. | Open |
| Semax | Evidence: Mixed evidence | ACTH 4 to 7 heptapeptide. BDNF and NGF upregulation in preclinical work. | Nasal spray, lyophilised vial. | Russian Federation registered for stroke recovery. No UK authorisation. | Open |
| Kisspeptin-10 | Evidence: Mixed evidence | 10 aa C-terminal fragment of kisspeptin-54. Primary GnRH-axis regulator. | Lyophilised vial. | Clinical research at Imperial College London. No UK licensed medicine. | Open |
| KPV | Evidence: Mechanistic | Lysine-proline-valine tripeptide. C-terminal fragment of alpha-MSH. Anti-inflammatory signalling in animal IBD models. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| GHRP-2 | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist driving pulsatile GH release. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| DSIP | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Delta sleep-inducing peptide. Russian and German EEG sleep-architecture research from the 1980s-90s. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Cerebrolysin | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Porcine brain-derived neuropeptide preparation. Proposed BDNF/NGF-like activity. | Ampoule, lyophilised vial. | POM in some EU states. No UK marketing authorisation. | Open |
| Hexarelin | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist with additional CD36 cardiovascular receptor binding. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| GHRP-6 | Evidence: Mixed evidence | Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist. Distinguished by pronounced appetite stimulation. | Lyophilised vial. | No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Retatrutide | Evidence: Human RCT | GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple-agonist (Eli Lilly LY3437943). Phase III TRIUMPH ongoing. | Lyophilised vial. | Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Cagrilintide | Evidence: Human RCT | Long-acting amylin analogue (Novo Nordisk AM833). Amylin pathway, studied with semaglutide as CagriSema. | Lyophilised vial. | Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III REDEFINE. Research use only framing. | Open |
| Survodutide | Evidence: Human RCT | GLP-1/glucagon dual-agonist (Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand BI 456906). Obesity and MASH research. | Lyophilised vial. | Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III. Research use only framing. | Open |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Evidence: Animal only | Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (not a peptide). Preclinical adipose-metabolism research. | Lyophilised vial, capsule (research). | No UK marketing authorisation. Preclinical. Research use only framing. | Open |
BPC-157
Synthetic pentadecapeptide from gastric juice. Tissue-protective signalling in rodent models.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
TB-500
Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4. Actin-binding, connective tissue research.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived 16 aa peptide. Late-life healthspan literature in mice.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
Ipamorelin
Selective ghrelin (GHSR) agonist. Pulsatile GH release without cortisol or prolactin spike.
Phase II discontinued. No UK marketing authorisation.
GHK-Cu
Copper-binding tripeptide. Topical wound healing and skin remodelling literature.
Cosmetic INCI listed. No UK medicine authorisation.
Sermorelin
29 aa GHRH analogue. Stimulates pituitary GH release.
US-licensed 1990 to 2008 (Geref), withdrawn. No UK authorisation.
Tesamorelin
44 aa stabilised GHRH analogue. Visceral fat reduction in HIV lipodystrophy.
FDA-approved (EGRIFTA). No UK or EMA authorisation.
Epitalon
Tetrapeptide bioregulator. Telomere and pineal research literature.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
Melanotan
Melanocortin receptor agonists studied for UV-tanning activity.
Melanotan II unlicensed. MHRA enforcement target since 2008.
AOD-9604
C-terminal hGH fragment (residues 177 to 191). Adipose research in animals.
Phase III did not progress. No UK authorisation.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin agonist. Central nervous system arousal pathway.
FDA-approved as Vyleesi. No UK or EMA authorisation.
Selank
Tuftsin-derived heptapeptide. Anxiolytic research at the GABA pathway.
Russian Federation registered. No UK or EMA authorisation.
Semax
ACTH 4 to 7 heptapeptide. BDNF and NGF upregulation in preclinical work.
Russian Federation registered for stroke recovery. No UK authorisation.
Kisspeptin-10
10 aa C-terminal fragment of kisspeptin-54. Primary GnRH-axis regulator.
Clinical research at Imperial College London. No UK licensed medicine.
KPV
Lysine-proline-valine tripeptide. C-terminal fragment of alpha-MSH. Anti-inflammatory signalling in animal IBD models.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
GHRP-2
Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist driving pulsatile GH release.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
DSIP
Delta sleep-inducing peptide. Russian and German EEG sleep-architecture research from the 1980s-90s.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
Cerebrolysin
Porcine brain-derived neuropeptide preparation. Proposed BDNF/NGF-like activity.
POM in some EU states. No UK marketing authorisation.
Hexarelin
Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist with additional CD36 cardiovascular receptor binding.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
GHRP-6
Synthetic GHRP. Ghrelin receptor agonist. Distinguished by pronounced appetite stimulation.
No UK marketing authorisation. Research use only framing.
Retatrutide
GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple-agonist (Eli Lilly LY3437943). Phase III TRIUMPH ongoing.
Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III. Research use only framing.
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue (Novo Nordisk AM833). Amylin pathway, studied with semaglutide as CagriSema.
Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III REDEFINE. Research use only framing.
Survodutide
GLP-1/glucagon dual-agonist (Boehringer Ingelheim / Zealand BI 456906). Obesity and MASH research.
Not licensed by MHRA. Phase III. Research use only framing.
5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (not a peptide). Preclinical adipose-metabolism research.
No UK marketing authorisation. Preclinical. Research use only framing.
Evidence pill reflects the highest tier of published literature available for that compound. Mixed indicates some human signal in a literature dominated by animal work. PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia framing only. No dosing, no human-use protocols. Research use only.
Inside this category
BPC-157
The most discussed research peptide. Animal data only, no human RCTs. Encyclopedia entry covering history, mechanism, and UK regulatory framing.
TB-500
Synthetic fragment of Thymosin beta-4. Preclinical wound healing and connective tissue literature. Research use only.
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Late-life intervention literature in mice. Nature Communications 2020.
Ipamorelin
Novo Nordisk-developed growth-hormone secretagogue. Phase II discontinued. Why pharmaceutical development stopped.
GHK-Cu
Copper-binding tripeptide with an extensive in-vitro and preclinical literature. Appears in both cosmetic and systemic research contexts.
Sermorelin
29-amino-acid GHRH analogue. Pharmaceutical history: Geref was approved then withdrawn in the US (2008). No UK marketing authorisation.
Tesamorelin
44-amino-acid stabilised GHRH analogue. FDA-approved in the US for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. No UK marketing authorisation.
Epitalon
Tetrapeptide bioregulator with a published preclinical literature from the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation. Research use only.
Melanotan
Melanocortin receptor agonists studied for UV-tanning activity in animal models. Significant safety-signal history. Research use only.
AOD-9604
HGH fragment. Phase III clinical programme discontinued. No marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction. Research use only.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
Melanocortin agonist. FDA-approved in the US as Vyleesi; no UK marketing authorisation. Research use only in the UK.
Selank
Synthetic Tuftsin analog registered in Russia. No UK or EU marketing authorisation. Russian clinical data reviewed honestly.
Semax
Synthetic ACTH (4-10) analog registered in Russia for stroke recovery. No UK or EU marketing authorisation. Research use only.
Kisspeptin-10
KISS1 gene product fragment studied at Imperial College London. Active academic research context. No UK licensed medicine.
CJC-1295
30-amino-acid GHRH analogue, sold with or without DAC. UK research-tier only. Commonly discussed alongside Ipamorelin.
GHRP-2
Synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist (GH secretagogue). UK research-tier only. WADA prohibited.
GHRP-6
Early synthetic hexapeptide ghrelin-receptor agonist. UK research-tier only. WADA prohibited.
Hexarelin
Synthetic GHRP with additional cardiovascular receptor binding in preclinical work. UK research-tier only.
DSIP
Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide. Older Russian and German EEG sleep-architecture research. UK research-tier only.
Retatrutide
Investigational triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) in Eli Lilly Phase 3. Not UK-licensed. Editorial commentary only.
KPV
Tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH studied for anti-inflammatory signalling in preclinical models. UK research-tier only.
Cerebrolysin
Porcine-derived neuropeptide preparation used clinically in some countries. No UK marketing authorisation. Editorial context.
NAD+
Coenzyme central to cellular energy and sirtuin signalling. Injectable and oral precursor (NMN, NR) routes available in the UK. Research use only framing.
Glutathione
Tripeptide (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine) and master antioxidant. Stocked by UK research peptide retailers. Research use only framing.
Thymosin alpha-1
28-amino-acid acetylated peptide. Immune-modulatory preclinical literature. Clinically used in some countries. No UK marketing authorisation.
FOXO4-DRI
Synthetic D-retro-inverso peptide. Senolytic research tool: disrupts the FOXO4-p53 interaction in senescent cells in preclinical models. Research use only.
5-Amino-1MQ
Small molecule NNMT inhibitor stocked by UK research peptide retailers. Preclinical adipose and metabolic-ageing literature. Research use only.
SS-31
Cardiolipin-binding tetrapeptide (Elamipretide). Phase 3 clinical data for rare mitochondrial disease. Research-tier in the UK outside clinical trials.
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue in Novo Nordisk Phase 3 as part of CagriSema. Not UK-licensed. Editorial commentary only.
Mazdutide
Dual GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist in Phase 3 clinical development. Not UK-licensed. Editorial commentary on the class.
UK retailer comparison
Side-by-side comparison of UK research peptide retailers: my-peptides, Pure Peptides UK, Direct Sarms, Aquila, Pinnacle, Nooku. Purity claims, CoA standards, delivery.
How to choose a UK retailer
A practical guide to vetting a UK research-peptide retailer: HPLC purity, Certificate of Analysis practice, UK trading entity, and the red flags to avoid.
UK regulatory framing (briefly)
- · The Medicines Act 1968 + Human Medicines Regulations 2012 govern any product marketed as a medicine in the UK.
- · Research peptides marketed as "research use only" with no health claims sit outside that tier.
- · Once a retailer or commentator makes a health or dosing claim (that it heals the body, improves recovery, or stating a human dose), the product is treated as an unlicensed medicinal product. MHRA enforcement follows.
- · £45m of trafficked weight-loss medicines and "peptide products" were seized by MHRA in early 2026 (Northampton Oct 2025, Sleaford 2026). Sites making medicinal claims are the enforcement priority.
Our editorial framing on every research peptide page is encyclopedia. History, mechanism, animal literature, regulatory status. No dosing, no human-use protocols, no cycle stacks. Where we link out to retailers, the retailer's "research use only" framing applies to the transaction.
Quick answers
Are research peptides legal to buy in the UK?
Research peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c can be bought in the UK when they are sold and purchased for research use only, not for human or animal consumption. That framing is what keeps them outside the medicines regime set by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. They are not licensed for human use, and no UK retailer should make human-use claims about them. Cosmetic peptide skincare and collagen supplements are straightforwardly legal to buy; prescription peptide medicines are legal only on a prescription from a UK-licensed prescriber.
What does "research use only" mean for peptides?
"Research use only, not for human or animal consumption" is the wording under which UK retailers sell peptides that have no UK marketing authorisation. It marks the product as not intended for use as a medicine, removes therapeutic claims from the product page, and positions the supplier as a chemical retailer rather than a pharmacy or prescriber. It does not authorise human use; it is the opposite. Once a retailer adds a therapeutic claim, the product falls under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 as an unlicensed medicinal product.
What does 99% HPLC purity mean?
HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) separates the components of a sample and reads the proportion of each. "99% HPLC purity" means the named peptide makes up at least 99 percent of the total peptide content of the sample. It is the standard research-peptide purity claim. HPLC does not prove biological activity, sterility, endotoxin content, or that the labelled dose is correct: each of those is a separate test. Mass spectrometry is the sister test that confirms the molecule's identity by molecular mass.
What is a Certificate of Analysis for peptides?
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a document from a third-party analytical lab confirming the purity, identity and, depending on scope, additional properties of a sample. For research peptides the minimum is a CoA covering HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity, ideally with a batch or lot number, test date and named lab. A CoA does not prove sterility, biological activity, or that a specific vial matches it without batch traceability. UK retailers either include it with each order or send it on request.
How do I check a UK peptide seller is a registered company?
A UK-incorporated company must file accounts and keep an active status at Companies House, which you can verify for free by company name or number on the Companies House register. Look for active status (not dissolved or struck off), a registered address that is not a virtual-office shell, and a verifiable director record. A retailer that operates only as an overseas entity with no UK legal presence has no UK legal accountability. PeptideClear scores retailers on Companies House status in its PeptideClear Trust Index.
Why do research peptide prices differ so much between sellers?
Prices vary with how much verification and supply integrity sits behind the vial, not just the molecule. Retailers that publish per-batch Certificates of Analysis from a named third-party lab, pair HPLC with mass spectrometry, add endotoxin (LAL) testing, and dispatch from a UK warehouse carry higher costs than operators offering HPLC-only or image-only certificates and international shipping. Rarer compounds such as SS-31 and Epitalon also cost more and carry higher counterfeit risk. Buying through PeptideClear's links matches the retailer's direct price.
Learn: verify before you buy
Practical, vendor-neutral guides to checking what a research-peptide retailer publishes. No dosing, no health claims, just document and status verification.
Verify a peptide CoA
Step by step: match the batch number, confirm the named lab exists, check the certificate on the lab's own portal, and understand what a CoA does not prove.
Spot a fake or misleading CoA
The red flags worth a second look: no lab-side verification, an unfindable lab, a batch number that never changes, edited fonts and dates, and 100.00% purity claims.
Vendor status tracker
A public status table of UK research-peptide retailers: vetting status, Companies House note where known, and the date we last reviewed each one.
Our live data trackers
PeptideClear maintains these as refreshable datasets rather than one-off articles. Each carries its own source, methodology and last-updated date.
Live data tracker
UK peptide clinical-trials tracker →
Registered interventional trials for every research peptide we track, by phase and recruitment status, linking through to each compound record.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN
Live data tracker
UK research-peptide price index →
Headline price per milligram across the UK research-peptide retailers we score, so a price can be read against the market rather than in isolation.
Source: PeptideClear retailer survey
Live data tracker
PeptideClear Trust Index →
159 UK sellers scored on six observable certificate-of-analysis signals, free and independently, on the Which? Trusted Traders / Checkatrade model. Every signal reproducible from the published data.
Source: PeptideClear methodology
Check it yourself: the official sources
PeptideClear is editorial. Nothing here replaces the regulator, and you should not take our word for any of it. These are the official UK destinations where the underlying position is published, free to read and open to anyone.
legislation.gov.uk
Human Medicines Regulations 2012The legislation that defines what counts as a medicine in the UK, and what constitutes illegal supply. A product marketed with medicinal claims is regulated as a medicine regardless of how it is labelled.
World Anti-Doping Agency
WADA Prohibited ListThe annually updated list of substances and methods banned in sport. Many research peptides sit under S0 or S2. UK Anti-Doping enforces it on tested athletes.
MHRA
Report a fake or illegally supplied medicineThe MHRA route for reporting a website or seller supplying medicines illegally, and for reporting a product you believe is counterfeit.
MHRA
Yellow Card schemeReport a suspected side effect, a defective medicine, or a fake or counterfeit product. Anyone can report, including patients. Reports feed the MHRA safety monitoring system.
MHRA
MHRA Products portalThe Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet for every medicine licensed in the UK. This is the authoritative document for what a medicine is licensed to do.
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