Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid GHRH analog with N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification — the only FDA-approved GHRH peptide, validated in Phase III trials for visceral adiposity reduction.
Product definition
What is Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is a 44-amino-acid GHRH analog with N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification — the only FDA-approved GHRH peptide, validated in Phase III trials for visceral adiposity reduction.
Tesamorelin (trade name Egrifta) is a synthetic GHRH analog consisting of the full 44-amino-acid native GHRH sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid group attached to the N-terminus. This modification provides resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) degradation — the primary cleavage mechanism for native GHRH — without altering receptor binding or downstream GH signaling.
The compound received FDA approval in 2010 for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Phase III pharmacokinetic studies documented dose-dependent GH and IGF-1 elevation, with trunk fat mass reductions of approximately 18% versus placebo at 26 weeks of treatment in the ENCORE and TE/ANS/0049 trials. This clinical dataset is the most rigorous pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characterization of any GHRH analog published for human subjects, making tesamorelin a reference anchor for GH-axis metabolic research.
Research context
How is Tesamorelin described in the research literature?
Tesamorelin binds pituitary GHRH receptors to stimulate pulsatile GH release and downstream IGF-1 elevation. Its trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal modification confers DPP-IV resistance, extending the functional exposure window beyond native GHRH. In Phase III trials, this translates to sustained trunk fat mass reduction measurable by DEXA.
Compound profile
Key facts about Tesamorelin
- Class
- GHRH analog
- Amino acids
- 44
- Molecular weight
- ~5,135 Da
- Modification
- Trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal conjugate
- Half-life
- ~26 minutes in vivo
- CAS
- 218949-48-9
- Clinical status
- FDA-approved (Egrifta) for HIV lipodystrophy
- Research category
- GH axis, visceral adiposity, metabolic research
- Storage
- Lyophilized: −20°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 21 days
Research areas
What research areas is Tesamorelin associated with?
- Only GHRH analog with FDA approval — Phase III human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data published
- Studied for visceral adiposity reduction via GH/IGF-1 axis activation in clinical and preclinical models
- N-terminal modification confers DPP-IV resistance, extending functional half-life beyond native GHRH
- Investigated for GH-dependent metabolic effects including trunk fat mass and lipid profile changes
- Full 44-amino-acid GHRH sequence retained — complete GHRH receptor pharmacology preserved
- Reference compound for GH axis research requiring documented clinical pharmacokinetic data
Research audience
Who researches Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is used by researchers in GH axis pharmacology, visceral adiposity biology, metabolic syndrome, and GH secretagogue research. It is particularly valuable for protocols requiring a GHRH analog with validated clinical pharmacokinetic data and documented metabolic end-point effects.
Preclinical research overview
What does the preclinical literature say about Tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin was developed by Theratechnologies Inc. using trans-3-hexenoic acid conjugation technology to address the DPP-IV cleavage liability of native GHRH. The clinical development program focused on HIV-associated lipodystrophy — a metabolic complication of antiretroviral therapy characterized by excess visceral fat accumulation and GH deficiency — where sustained GH/IGF-1 stimulation was hypothesized to reverse the adipose redistribution.
The Phase III ENCORE and TE/ANS/0049 trials enrolled adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy and documented statistically significant trunk fat mass reduction, IGF-1 normalization, and improvement in lipid parameters versus placebo. This dataset, combined with the Phase I pharmacokinetic characterization, makes tesamorelin the only GHRH analog with a complete Phase III human dataset in the open literature.
In preclinical and translational research settings, tesamorelin is studied as a pharmacologically clean GHRH receptor agonist with documented in vivo stability. Research applications include GH pulse characterization, GH-axis-mediated lipolysis, IGF-1 regulation in metabolic models, and comparison with shorter-acting GHRH analogs in dose-response protocols.
Common questions
Frequently asked about Tesamorelin
How does tesamorelin compare to CJC-1295 With DAC?
Both are GHRH analogs that stimulate pituitary GH release. The key differences are half-life and modification strategy. Tesamorelin uses an N-terminal fatty acid modification for DPP-IV resistance with a ~26-minute half-life — producing a pulsatile GH response. CJC-1295 With DAC uses a maleimide-albumin binding DAC modification for a ~6–8 day half-life, producing sustained GH elevation. For protocols requiring physiologically patterned GH pulses with the highest-quality clinical pharmacokinetic dataset, tesamorelin is the research standard.
What makes tesamorelin's clinical data significant for research?
Tesamorelin is the only GHRH analog to complete Phase III randomized controlled trials, providing DEXA-measured body composition endpoints, IGF-1 dose-response data, and safety characterization in a controlled human subject population. Most GHRH analogs in the research market have only animal or Phase I human data. The Phase III dataset makes tesamorelin a pharmacological anchor when comparing GHRH analog effects in preclinical models to expected human-relevant outcomes.
What are the storage requirements for tesamorelin?
Lyophilized tesamorelin is stable at −20°C. Once reconstituted, store at 2–8°C and use within approximately 21 days. As with all GHRH analogs, the peptide backbone is susceptible to hydrolysis in solution — avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles of reconstituted material and minimize exposure to warm temperatures during handling.
Research Use Only
Sold for laboratory and research purposes only. Not approved for, nor intended for, human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic use, or therapeutic application. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep out of reach of children. For use by qualified researchers only.
Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or a clinical protocol. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health or treatment decisions.
By accessing this product page you confirm that you are a qualified researcher aged 18 or older and that you will use this product solely for lawful laboratory research purposes. View Research Use Policy