EPO (Erythropoietin)
Recombinant erythropoietin protein · heavily regulated
Overview
Erythropoietin (EPO, also called Epoetin) is a 165-amino-acid glycoprotein hormone produced natively by renal interstitial cells and supplied therapeutically as a recombinant glycoprotein biological. EPO is the master regulator of erythropoiesis, signaling through the homodimeric EPO-receptor on erythroid progenitor cells to drive red-blood-cell production. Recombinant EPO (under brand names including Epogen, Procrit, Eprex, NeoRecormon, and many biosimilars) is approved for chemotherapy-induced anemia, anemia of chronic kidney disease, and several other indications globally. The molecule is one of the most stringently controlled biological products in international trade due to both its prescription-medication status and its prominence in athletic-doping enforcement. Lyochem distributes recombinant EPO only to qualified buyers with appropriate import authorization and dispensing licensing in their destination jurisdiction. As a glycoprotein, EPO's biological activity depends critically on its glycosylation pattern, the same protein backbone with different glycans (Epoetin-alpha vs. Epoetin-beta vs. Darbepoetin-alpha vs. CERA) produces dramatically different in vivo pharmacokinetics. The analytical packet for EPO must therefore include glycan-mapping or isoform-analysis on top of the standard biological-product release testing (SDS-PAGE, peptide-mapping, bioactivity assay, endotoxin, host-cell-protein).
Who buys this, and why
Other research peptides in this category — Melanotan-1, Melanotan-2, PT-141, ACE-031, Adipotide-FTTP, EPO, HCG, HMG — ship to research labs studying topics outside the GH / cognitive / immune / mitochondrial / repair / longevity / Khavinson clusters. Each peptide has its own analytical-packet emphasis (e.g. glycoprotein bioassay in IU/mg for HCG; cyclised-form confirmation for oxytocin) noted in the per-product CoA scope.
Primary buyer fit: regional research-supplier partners and university-block resellers.
Specifications
- CAS
- 11096-26-7
- Purity (HPLC)
- ≥ 99.0%
- Common vial sizes
- 3000 IU
- MOQ
- On request
- Lead time
- 21–45 days
- Storage
- Refrigerated 2–8°C, protect from light
Documentation available on request
- Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
- RP-HPLC chromatogram with peak integration
- ESI-MS identity confirmation (±0.5 Da)
- Sequence verification by LC-MS/MS
- Water content by Karl Fischer
- SDS / MSDS
- Counter-ion analysis (where applicable)
- Solubility / reconstitution guidance
- Bacterial endotoxin (LAL) on request — in vivo workflows
Regulatory note
Highly regulated biological with strict international controls including athletic-doping enforcement. Sold only to qualified buyers with appropriate licensing in their jurisdiction. Order requires full compliance review and import authorization documentation prior to acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Epoetin-alpha, Epoetin-beta, Darbepoetin, and CERA?▾
All four are recombinant EPO products with the same 165-amino-acid protein backbone but different glycosylation patterns and modifications that produce dramatically different pharmacokinetics. Epoetin-alpha (Procrit, Epogen) is the original recombinant EPO, dosed 2-3× weekly. Epoetin-beta (NeoRecormon) has slightly different glycan structure with similar dosing. Darbepoetin-alpha (Aranesp) has hyperglycosylated structure that extends half-life to weekly dosing. CERA (Mircera) is a PEG-conjugated EPO with extended half-life supporting monthly dosing. The protein backbone is identical across all four; the glycan/conjugation differences are what create the pharmacokinetic spectrum. Buyers should confirm which form the released batch represents, they are not interchangeable in clinical or research contexts.
Why is EPO subject to athletic-doping controls in addition to standard prescription regulation?▾
EPO is one of the most heavily monitored compounds in international anti-doping enforcement because exogenous recombinant EPO produces direct erythrocytosis (red-blood-cell increase) that improves oxygen-carrying capacity and endurance performance. Detection methods include direct EPO immunoassay (which distinguishes recombinant from endogenous EPO by isoform pattern) and indirect markers (hematocrit, reticulocyte count, OFF-score). EPO is on WADA's prohibited list at all times for all athletes, and detection windows are several weeks after last dosing. Lyochem's compliance review for EPO orders verifies the buyer's intended use is consistent with clinical or research workflows rather than athletic-performance contexts.
What documentation is required for EPO import authorization across different jurisdictions?▾
EPO import authorization requirements vary substantially by destination market but generally include: (1) a pharmaceutical wholesale or distribution license appropriate to prescription biologicals, (2) end-user identification (clinical facility, research institution, or licensed pharmacy), (3) intended-use declaration specifying the clinical or research protocol, (4) a chain-of-custody plan covering cold-chain logistics from shipment to administration, and (5) for some markets, pre-approval from the destination's national medicines agency. Specific markets have additional requirements, China's NMPA requires a separate import license for each batch; EU markets require GDP-compliant wholesale licensing; US distribution requires DEA registration plus state-level pharmacy licensing. Lyochem's compliance team supports the documentation requirements during the quote and order workflow.
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