Research peptides
Research peptides
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-06-16
Editorial with affiliate links. We earn from purchases via outbound retailer / clinic 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.
Shop research peptidesAI-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.
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