Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Aviptadil
Evidence Grade B — Strong clinical evidence. 24205 published studies, 11877 human. 121 registered clinical trials.
VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) is a naturally occurring hormone found throughout the nervous and immune systems. A pharmaceutical version (aviptadil) has been studied for sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, and was investigated under emergency authorisation during COVID-19 for acute respiratory distress. It has no FDA or EMA approval for any condition. Its extremely short half-life (about 2 minutes) is the fundamental barrier to clinical development.
24,205 published studies: 11877 human, 7787 animal, 1762 in-vitro, 7280 reviews
VIP (aviptadil) has no marketing authorisation from the FDA or EMA. Phase II studies have been conducted in sarcoidosis (20 patients, inhaled VIP) and pulmonary hypertension (8 patients, inhaled VIP), and aviptadil was investigated under emergency use for COVID-19-associated ARDS.
VIP is a well-characterised endogenous hormone with extensive basic science literature spanning decades. The challenge for clinical development has been its extremely short half-life and the complexity of targeting a hormone with pleiotropic effects across multiple organ systems. No Phase III trials have been completed for any indication.
Research suggests VIP acts through two specific receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2) distributed across multiple organ systems. Proposed effects include anti-inflammatory activity, bronchodilation, and vasodilation. The very short half-life (approximately 2 minutes) of the native peptide presents significant pharmacological challenges for therapeutic development.
Research suggests VIP has extensive and compelling preclinical evidence from multiple independent laboratories, with proposed anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, and vasodilatory effects. However, clinical translation has been consistently disappointing: sarcoidosis data is proof-of-concept only (20 patients), pulmonary hypertension results were not replicated, and two major COVID-19 respiratory distress trials failed their primary endpoints. The 2-minute half-life remains the core problem — the peptide is destroyed almost immediately in the bloodstream. Inhaled delivery appears more promising than intravenous administration. Despite decades of research and compelling biology, no VIP-based therapy has achieved regulatory approval. Long-acting VIP analogues and alternative delivery methods are being explored.
ZYESAMI (Aviptadil) Intermediate Population Expanded Access Protocol (SAMICARE)
The Volunteering-in-Place Program for Apathetic Assisted Living Residents With ADRD
IBIS Megastudy of Interventions to Encourage HIV Retesting
Impact of Low-intensity Chemotherapy Combined With Short-course Blinatumomab on Allo-HSCT in Adults With Ph- B-ALL
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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