Evidence Grade E — Very limited evidence. 7 published studies. 0 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Alexamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone secretagogue developed in Edinburgh for bowel recovery after abdominal surgery. A Phase II trial produced limited results, and clinical development was discontinued when the developer was acquired in 2008. It has no regulatory approval and is primarily of historical interest.
Alexamorelin is also known by these brand and alternate names:
7 published studies: 7 human, 0 animal, 3 in-vitro, 0 reviews
Alexamorelin has no marketing authorisation. A Phase II trial (approximately 150 patients) for bowel function recovery after abdominal surgery produced limited results. Published controlled efficacy data are minimal. Ardana Biosciences was acquired by Shire in 2008 and the programme was discontinued.
No further clinical development has occurred. The compound is primarily of historical interest within the growth hormone secretagogue research field.
Research suggests alexamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor on both pituitary cells (stimulating growth hormone release) and on nerves in the gut wall (potentially stimulating gut motility). This dual activity was the rationale for developing it for post-operative ileus — a common condition where gut motility stops after abdominal surgery. These proposed mechanisms were not validated in clinical outcomes.
Research suggests a Phase II trial (approximately 150 patients) in post-operative bowel function recovery produced inconclusive results. Published controlled efficacy data are minimal. No further clinical development has occurred since the developer's acquisition. The compound is of limited current relevance. Its dual mechanism — stimulating both growth hormone release and gut motility — was scientifically interesting but was not validated in clinical outcomes.
PeptideTrace tracks 0 registered clinical trials for Alexamorelin sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
No trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for this compound.
Alexamorelin is a synthetic heptapeptide (Ala-His-D-2-Nal-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2), MW ~941.09 Da. Developed by Ardana Biosciences (Edinburgh) for post-operative ileus. GHRP-2-related with N-terminal Ala extension. Designed for GI prokinetic plus GH effects. Not approved. Half-life ~20-40 min estimated.
Research suggests GHS-R1a activation on both pituitary (GH release) and vagal/enteric neurons (prokinetic). GI GHS-R1a stimulates ACh release from myenteric plexus, enhancing gastric emptying and intestinal transit. Same receptor as ghrelin prokinetic effects. Dual GH + prokinetic properties for post-surgical ileus.
No marketing authorization. Phase II (N=~150): IV alexamorelin for bowel function after abdominal surgery; results limited in public domain, did not advance. Ardana acquired by Shire 2008; program discontinued. No published controlled efficacy data.
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Somatrogon is marketed as Ngenla (approved June 2023) for paediatric growth hormone deficiency in children aged 3 years and older. In the pivotal trial, once-weekly somatrogon produced growth rates equivalent to daily somatropin injections (10.1 cm/year versus 9.8 cm/year), confirming that reducing injection frequency does not compromise growth outcomes. Ngenla represents a meaningful advance for paediatric patients and their families, reducing injections from 365 to 52 per year. Treatment adherence has been a persistent challenge with daily growth hormone, and weekly dosing is expected to improve long-term outcomes through better compliance. Somatrogon competes directly with somapacitan (Sogroya), the other approved weekly growth hormone, creating a new generation of less burdensome treatment options.
Somapacitan is marketed as Sogroya (approved August 2020 for adult growth hormone deficiency; expanded April 2023 to paediatric growth hormone deficiency in children aged 2.5 years and older). It is the first once-weekly growth hormone approved for both adult and paediatric patients. In adults, clinical trials showed improvements in body composition including reduced truncal fat. In children, growth rates were comparable to daily somatropin. The albumin-binding approach provides predictable drug levels with lower peak-to-trough variation than some other long-acting growth hormone technologies. Sogroya competes with somatrogon (Ngenla) in the growing once-weekly growth hormone market, with both products expected to gradually replace daily injections as the standard of care.
ACE-031 has no marketing authorisation. A Phase I trial in healthy women showed increased lean mass and decreased fat mass. A Phase II trial in DMD (24 patients) showed lean body mass increases but was discontinued due to bleeding-related safety concerns (epistaxis, telangiectasias, and gum bleeding), likely caused by inhibition of BMP-9/10 vascular signalling. ACE-031 is a large fusion protein (~90 kDa), not a peptide. Its clinical development was halted. The non-selective ligand-trapping profile — capturing beneficial vascular signalling molecules alongside the intended muscle-growth targets — illustrates the challenge of targeting the TGF-beta superfamily. Acceleron subsequently developed more selective agents.
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