Tesamorelin
GHRH analog · approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Overview
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino-acid GHRH analog with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl modification that protects the molecule from DPP-4 cleavage and extends the plasma half-life relative to native GHRH or unmodified Sermorelin. It is the only FDA-approved member of the GHRH-analog class, indicated as a finished drug (Egrifta) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy and the reduction of excess visceral abdominal fat in HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy. Lyochem supplies Tesamorelin acetate as a lyophilized powder at ≥99.0% HPLC purity. The 44-residue sequence is at the upper-middle range for SPPS, and the analytical packet emphasizes peak-integration HPLC plus ESI mass spec confirming the N-terminal hexenoyl modification, the modified mass is the diagnostic identity check. Sequence verification by LC-MS/MS is available on request and is recommended at first-time supplier qualification because the hexenoyl group's positional integrity matters for biological activity. Tesamorelin is most commonly ordered as the standalone vial for visceral-fat research and compounding workflows, or as the pre-blended Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin combination (the tesa-ipa-blend SKU) for dual-pathway GH-axis research.
Who buys this, and why
GH-axis peptides ship to research labs studying somatotropic-pathway pharmacology, IGF-axis signalling, and pulse vs. sustained-elevation GH biology. Buyers qualifying a new source typically request sequence verification on the first lot, the counter-ion form (acetate by default), and stability data at −20 °C. Blends — the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin co-formulated lot is the canonical example — are co-lyophilised rather than solution-mixed so the ratio is locked at the lyophilisation step.
Primary buyer fit: research laboratories that have validated this peptide into their workflow and academic and contract research laboratories.
Specifications
- CAS
- 218949-48-5
- Sequence
- YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR
- Appearance
- White lyophilized powder
- Purity (HPLC)
- ≥ 99.0%
- Common vial sizes
- 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg
- MOQ
- On request
- Lead time
- 10–18 days
- Storage
- -20°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 (acetate vs TFA)
- Stability at −20 °C across 12 months
- Solubility in BAC water / PBS reconstitution
Regulatory note
The finished Tesamorelin drug (Egrifta) is FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The bulk active itself is not on the 503A bulks list; compounding eligibility for off-label or other indications depends on the destination market's current shortage / regulatory posture.
Frequently asked questions
How is Tesamorelin different from the other GHRH analogues?▾
Tesamorelin is the only FDA-approved GHRH analogue as a finished drug, distinguishing it from Sermorelin (which had a now-discontinued approval), CJC-1295 (no approval), and Modified GRF 1-29 (no approval). Mechanistically, Tesamorelin's N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl modification gives it both better protease resistance than unmodified Sermorelin and a half-life roughly similar to CJC-1295 no-DAC, but at lower mass-equivalent because the hexenoyl group is a small modification rather than the larger substitutions used in CJC-1295. Tesamorelin's specific clinical context, visceral-fat reduction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, drove most of the rigorous PK and clinical-outcome data in this family.
What's the recommended analytical packet for first-time Tesamorelin qualification?▾
For first-time supplier qualification of Tesamorelin, request: (1) HPLC chromatogram with peak integration showing ≥99.0% main-peak area, (2) ESI mass spec confirming the modified mass (≈5135.8 Da for Tesamorelin vs. ≈3358 Da for unmodified Sermorelin 1-29, the mass difference is diagnostic of the hexenoyl modification, but it's also worth confirming the modified peak is the dominant species), (3) LC-MS/MS sequence verification covering the N-terminal residues to confirm the hexenoyl is positioned correctly, and (4) water content + counter-ion. For 503A-style compounding workflows add LAL endotoxin and USP <61>/<62> microbial limits.
Can Tesamorelin be combined with Ipamorelin like CJC-1295 is?▾
Yes, the GHRH-receptor agonist plus GHSR agonist combination strategy applies equally to Tesamorelin. Lyochem supplies pre-blended co-lyophilized Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin vials under the tesa-ipa-blend SKU at standard 10+5 mg total ratios (custom ratios via OEM service). The mechanistic rationale matches the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination: two parallel input pathways converging on somatotroph GH release produce additive magnitudes beyond either component alone.
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