Evidence Grade C — Moderate human evidence. 48 published studies, 21 human. 2 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Ipamorelin is a research peptide that stimulates your body's natural growth hormone production. Originally developed by Novo Nordisk, it showed a more selective profile than older compounds in the same class — stimulating growth hormone without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin. Despite this advantage, its only clinical trial (for post-operative bowel recovery) failed, and it was never brought to market.
Ipamorelin is also known by these brand and alternate names:
48 published studies: 21 human, 20 animal, 10 in-vitro, 7 reviews
Ipamorelin has no marketing authorisation. A Phase II trial in post-operative ileus (approximately 114 patients) did not demonstrate significant acceleration of bowel function recovery. Phase I data confirmed dose-dependent growth hormone elevation without cortisol or prolactin changes.
The compound's clinical development was not advanced beyond Phase II. It is widely available through unregulated channels, often combined with CJC-1295. These combinations have no clinical trial support. Products from unregulated sources lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Research suggests ipamorelin activates the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on pituitary cells. Early-phase studies indicated it may stimulate growth hormone release with less effect on cortisol and prolactin compared to earlier compounds in this class. These observations are from Phase I pharmacokinetic data and have not been confirmed in efficacy-focused clinical trials.
Research suggests ipamorelin's Phase I data confirmed dose-dependent growth hormone elevation without the cortisol or prolactin spikes seen with GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 — a selectivity advantage that made it the most popular growth hormone secretagogue in unregulated channels. A Phase II trial for post-operative ileus (approximately 114 patients) did not demonstrate significant efficacy. No long-term safety data, no efficacy data for any clinical outcome, and no established dosing exist. The widely used combination with CJC-1295 has no clinical trial support whatsoever. Products from unregulated sources lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
PeptideTrace tracks 2 registered clinical trials for Ipamorelin sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin Compared to Placebo for the Recovery of Gastrointestinal Function
Safety and Efficacy of Ipamorelin for Management of Post-Operative Ileus
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide (Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2), MW ~711.85 Da. Developed by Novo Nordisk. Three non-natural amino acids. Distinguished by high GH selectivity with minimal ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, aldosterone effects. Not approved. Half-life ~2 hours. Commonly combined with CJC-1295 in grey-market.
Research suggests selective GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) agonism on pituitary somatotrophs. Gq/PLC/IP3/Ca2+ signaling triggers GH release. Unlike GHRP-6/GHRP-2, does not significantly activate corticotrophs, explaining selective GH profile. Synergistic with GHRH: GHRH primes cAMP while ipamorelin raises Ca2+ for supra-additive GH pulse.
No marketing authorization. Phase II post-operative ileus (N=114): 0.03 mg/kg IV TID did not significantly accelerate bowel function (98 vs. 107 hours, P=NS). Phase I: 0.01-0.1 mg/kg SC produced dose-dependent GH (peak 10-50 ng/mL at 40 min) with no cortisol/ACTH/prolactin changes, confirming selectivity. Helsinki Bio development discontinued before Phase III.
The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
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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.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health.
