what is tesamorelin.
Tesamorelin (also written TH9507 in early literature, branded as Egrifta) is a synthetic analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). It is the full 44-amino-acid sequence of native GHRH with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus. The modification protects the peptide from rapid degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), extending the pharmacokinetic profile compared with native GHRH.
A tesamorelin peptide pen is not a ballpoint pen, writing implement, or office supply. It is a research peptide compound supplied in a pre-filled delivery device used in laboratory research settings. The research format is distinct from the FDA-approved Egrifta clinical product.
Tesamorelin was developed by Theratechnologies (Canada) and received FDA approval in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta for one specific indication: the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. This is the only therapeutic indication for which tesamorelin has regulatory approval anywhere worldwide. BodyPharm UAE supplies tesamorelin as a research peptide and not for that indication or any human use.
The molecule has a molecular formula of C221H366N72O67S and a molecular mass of approximately 5197.8 Da. The acetate salt form (tesamorelin acetate) is the standard supplied form.
How tesamorelin differs from CJC-1295
Both are GHRH analogs designed to overcome the very short plasma half-life of native GHRH (roughly seven minutes), but they use different structural strategies. Tesamorelin retains the full GHRH (1-44) sequence and uses a hexenoic acid N-terminal modification for DPP-IV resistance. CJC-1295 is a shorter GHRH (1-29) fragment with either no modification or a drug-affinity-complex modification for albumin binding. See /uae/guides/cjc-1295-ipamorelin-uae for the comparative reference.
Why tesamorelin is written as TH9507, Egrifta, or GHRH analog
Four variant names appear across the literature and commercial sources. Each refers to the same compound.
The international non-proprietary name used in peer-reviewed clinical literature, FDA filings, and PubMed-indexed papers. The form used on Certificates of Analysis from established analytical labs.
The developmental code used by Theratechnologies, the Canadian company that developed tesamorelin. Still appears in older papers and clinical-trial registry entries. Mechanically identical to tesamorelin; the name change reflects post-naming-committee adoption.
The proprietary brand name used by Theratechnologies for the FDA-approved formulation indicated for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. "Egrifta SV" is the more recent sterile water reconstitution variant. Same active compound, identical chemistry.
Long-form descriptors. "Tesamorelin acetate" is the acetate salt form. "GHRH (1-44) analog" or "growth hormone releasing factor analog" describes the structural class - tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid sequence of native GHRH with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus.
mechanism of action.
The biological activity of tesamorelin is built on engagement with the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor and on the structural stabilisation that allows the peptide to reach the receptor at clinically relevant plasma concentrations.
Tesamorelin binds the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating the synthesis and pulsatile release of growth hormone. The full 44-amino-acid sequence allows close engagement with the native receptor.
Tesamorelin preserves the physiological pulsatility of growth hormone secretion, in contrast to exogenous GH administration which suppresses endogenous pulsatile release. The pulsatility preservation is mechanistically relevant to downstream IGF-1 signalling.
The trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus protects tesamorelin from rapid degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), the enzyme that limits native GHRH plasma half-life to roughly seven minutes. The modification is the structural reason tesamorelin has a clinically useful pharmacokinetic profile.
Falutz and colleagues (N Engl J Med, 2007;357(23):2359-2370) reported reduced visceral adipose tissue measured by CT scan in HIV-infected adults with abdominal lipodystrophy. The visceral fat reduction is the basis for the FDA approval indication.
Phase 3 visceral adiposity findings
Falutz and colleagues (N Engl J Med, 2007;357(23):2359-2370) reported a 26-week double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of tesamorelin in HIV-infected adults with abdominal lipodystrophy. The published findings documented a significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue measured by CT scan compared with placebo, with corresponding effects on triglycerides and the total cholesterol to HDL ratio. This study and a parallel Phase 3 trial formed the regulatory basis for the FDA approval.
Liver fat and metabolic findings
Stanley and colleagues (JAMA, 2014;312(4):380-389) reported a 6-month randomised controlled trial of tesamorelin in HIV-infected adults with abdominal fat accumulation. The published findings documented reductions in liver fat measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A follow-on multicentre trial published in Lancet HIV (Stanley TL, Fourman LT, et al., 2019) extended the liver fat work into participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the setting of HIV.
Growth hormone axis pharmacology
The mechanistic distinction of tesamorelin within the GHRH-analog class is its pulsatility-preserving effect on endogenous growth hormone secretion. Exogenous GH administration suppresses pulsatile release; GHRH-analog stimulation preserves it. Researchers studying the growth hormone axis use tesamorelin as a tool when the pulsatility variable matters to their experimental design.
All effects described in this section have been reported in published clinical trial literature. They are referenced here for research context and do not constitute therapeutic claims outside the FDA-approved Egrifta indication.
References
The primary peer-reviewed sources referenced in this guide. Researchers should consult the originals for full methods, endpoints, and context.
- Falutz J, Allas S, Blot K, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(23):2359-2370. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa072375.
- Stanley TL, Feldpausch MN, Oh J, et al. Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014;312(4):380-389. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.8334.
- Stanley TL, Fourman LT, Feldpausch MN, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial. Lancet HIV. 2019;6(12):e821-e830. doi:10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30338-8.
research applications.
Tesamorelin appears across four principal research application areas in the published literature. The compound's established clinical evidence base distinguishes it from most other research peptides and supports a broader range of mechanistic and translational research designs.
Growth hormone axis research
The principal mechanistic application area. Investigators use tesamorelin as a tool to probe GHRH receptor pharmacology, the relationship between GHRH stimulation and downstream IGF-1 signalling, and the pulsatility-preservation property that distinguishes GHRH-analog stimulation from exogenous GH administration.
Visceral adipose tissue and lipodystrophy research
The Falutz NEJM 2007 trial and the parallel Phase 3 work characterised tesamorelin effects on visceral adipose tissue measured by CT scan. Investigators study tesamorelin in adipose-tissue biology, fat distribution models, and lipodystrophy research designs.
Liver fat and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease research
The Stanley JAMA 2014 trial and the Stanley Lancet HIV 2019 trial provide the published basis for tesamorelin research applications in liver fat biology and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (now reclassified as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, MASLD).
Lipid metabolism research
Published trial data documents tesamorelin effects on triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, and the total cholesterol to HDL ratio. Investigators use these published endpoints as benchmarks when designing tesamorelin-related lipid research protocols.
the peptide pen format.
A research peptide pen is a pre-filled delivery device pre-loaded with reconstituted peptide at a fixed concentration. The format originated in clinical injection devices, including the original Egrifta presentation, and has been adapted for research handler use where dose consistency across experiments matters more than per-experiment flexibility.
The pen format differs from the lyophilised vial format in three practical ways. Pens arrive ready to use with no reconstitution step. The seal limits airborne contamination during repeated draws. The graduated dose mechanism provides volume consistency that is difficult to match with a manual draw from a stoppered vial.
The trade-off is rigidity. A pen format locks in the concentration set at manufacture, so researchers who need to vary working dilutions across a study still need to dilute the drawn aliquot into their experimental buffer. For a single-concentration study or a series of replicates at the same dose, the format reduces handler variance considerably.
Storage and handling follow standard reconstituted peptide protocol: refrigerated storage at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius after first use, with the stability window documented on the Certificate of Analysis. Cold-chain integrity from supplier through delivery is a precondition for any subsequent stability claim.
The BodyPharm UAE tesamorelin peptide pen is supplied at a fixed concentration with batch-specific HPLC purity and mass spectrometry confirmation on the CoA. The research pen is distinct from the FDA-approved Egrifta clinical product.
quality and coa standards.
Research-grade tesamorelin is defined by the documentation that accompanies it. A peptide with a published synthesis route but no batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is not a research material; it is an unknown. Researchers procuring tesamorelin in the UAE or anywhere else should expect the following at minimum.
- HPLC purity greater than 98 percent, ideally above 99 percent for sensitive research applications.
- Mass spectrometry confirmation of the 44-amino-acid tesamorelin sequence and the trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal modification.
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis from an independent third-party lab, not just an in-house result.
- Endotoxin testing where the material is intended for cell culture or animal research.
- Documented cold-chain handling from synthesis through shipping, with temperature logs available on request.
For BodyPharm UAE tesamorelin, the per-batch lab report is published at /uae/lab-results/tesamorelin-pen. The CoA documents HPLC purity, mass spectrometry confirmation of the 44-amino-acid tesamorelin sequence with the trans-3-hexenoic acid modification, and the in-house concentration assay. Independent third-party reports are available on request.
If there is no CoA, there is no peptide. Only powder.
uae sourcing and regulatory context.
Tesamorelin in the FDA-approved Egrifta formulation is a prescription pharmaceutical in the United States and a controlled product in the jurisdictions where its registration has been recognised. The Egrifta product is not the same as the research peptide supplied by BodyPharm UAE.
Research peptides are not classified as pharmaceuticals under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 and are not regulated as medicines. Tesamorelin in the research peptide format is supplied for laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary therapeutic use and not as a substitute for the Egrifta clinical product. Researchers are responsible for ensuring their handling and use comply with their institution's research governance and any applicable local research-ethics requirements.
The UAE has emerged as a regional hub for research peptide supply, partly because of the climate-driven cold-chain expertise developed across the GCC pharmaceutical distribution network. Suppliers operating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah can typically meet same-day delivery to Dubai locations and one to three day delivery to other emirates. See the dedicated reference at peptide delivery and GCC cold chain for the operational considerations.
For the full UAE regulatory context covering research peptide procurement, see Is it legal to buy peptides in Dubai and the UAE.
frequently asked questions.
The questions below cover the most common queries from UAE-based researchers and procurement teams. Each answer is independently sourced and can be cross-referenced against the linked product pages and lab results.
What does tesamorelin stand for?
Tesamorelin is the international non-proprietary name for a synthetic 44-amino-acid analog of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus. The developmental code was TH9507. The proprietary brand name is Egrifta (and Egrifta SV for the more recent sterile water variant). All four names describe the same compound.
Is tesamorelin FDA approved?
Yes, for one specific indication. Tesamorelin (under the brand name Egrifta) was approved by the FDA in 2010 for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adults with lipodystrophy. This is the only therapeutic indication for which it has regulatory approval anywhere worldwide. BodyPharm UAE supplies tesamorelin as a research peptide, not for that indication and not for any human use.
How does tesamorelin differ from CJC-1295?
Both are GHRH analogs but they use different stability mechanisms. Tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid GHRH sequence with a trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal modification for DPP-IV resistance. CJC-1295 is a shorter GHRH (1-29) fragment with either no modification (CJC-1295 without DAC) or a drug-affinity-complex modification for albumin binding (CJC-1295 with DAC). The two have distinct pharmacokinetic profiles. See /uae/guides/cjc-1295-ipamorelin-uae for the CJC-1295 reference.
What is a tesamorelin peptide pen?
A tesamorelin peptide pen is a pre-filled research delivery device loaded with reconstituted tesamorelin solution at a fixed concentration. It is not a writing implement and not the Egrifta clinical product. The research pen format provides dosing consistency, sterility through the device seal, and removes the need for laboratory reconstitution at the point of use.
Where can I buy tesamorelin in Dubai or the UAE?
BodyPharm UAE supplies tesamorelin in the pre-filled research peptide pen format with HPLC-verified purity and independent third-party Certificates of Analysis. Same-day delivery is available across Dubai, with one to three day delivery to other emirates. The product page at /uae/product/tesamorelin-pen carries the current batch information. The product is supplied as a research peptide and is not the FDA-approved Egrifta formulation.
Is tesamorelin legal in the UAE for research purposes?
Research peptides are not classified as pharmaceuticals under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 and are supplied for laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary therapeutic use. Tesamorelin in the research peptide format is supplied under that framework. See /uae/blog/is-it-legal-to-buy-peptides-dubai-uae-regulations for the full regulatory context.
What research applications use tesamorelin?
Tesamorelin is used in research as a tool to probe growth hormone axis biology with preserved pulsatility, visceral adipose tissue metabolism, lipid signalling, and liver fat biology. The Falutz NEJM 2007 trial and the Stanley JAMA 2014 trial provide the principal published clinical context. The compound's established clinical evidence base distinguishes it from most other research peptides.
How is tesamorelin stored?
Lyophilised tesamorelin is best stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius in opaque vials away from light and moisture. Reconstituted tesamorelin in solution should be held at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and used within the stability window documented on the Certificate of Analysis. The trans-3-hexenoic acid modification provides DPP-IV resistance but does not extend solution stability indefinitely.
related research peptides.
Tesamorelin sits within a broader research peptide category that BodyPharm UAE supplies and documents in parallel. The references below provide background on adjacent research compounds frequently studied alongside tesamorelin.
An alternative GHRH analog combined with a selective growth hormone secretagogue. Frequently studied alongside tesamorelin in growth hormone axis research designs to compare GHRH-class stability and engagement profiles. Read more.
A mitochondria-derived peptide active in AMPK pathway research. Used in metabolic homeostasis studies that overlap with the adipose-tissue and lipid metabolism research applications of tesamorelin. Read more.
A GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist studied across metabolic indications including liver fat. Researchers comparing growth hormone axis approaches with incretin-based metabolic approaches reference both compounds. Read more.
For the full BodyPharm UAE research peptide catalogue with current batch CoAs, see /uae/peptides.
HPLC-verified tesamorelin in the pre-filled research pen format. Batch-specific CoA, same-day Dubai delivery.