Ipamorelin comes up a lot in discussions of growth hormone secretagogues, and the word researchers keep attaching to it is "selective." It is a small synthetic peptide designed to act at one receptor with limited activity elsewhere. That focus is the main reason it is used as a research tool rather than a blunt instrument.
What is ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide, meaning it is built from five amino acids. It is classed as a growth hormone secretagogue and acts as an agonist at the ghrelin receptor, also called the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Its CAS number is 170851-70-4 and its molecular formula is C38H49N9O5. It is made by solid-phase peptide synthesis and characterized by its certificate of analysis.
What does "selective" mean here?
The ghrelin receptor sits upstream of pathways connected to growth hormone signaling. Some secretagogues activate that pathway but also touch other hormone systems. Ipamorelin is studied precisely because it shows a more selective profile in laboratory models, which makes it easier to attribute an observed effect to one receptor rather than several. For a research tool, that cleanliness is the point.
How is ipamorelin studied?
Laboratory research involving ipamorelin tends to focus on:
- Ghrelin receptor pharmacology: how the peptide binds and activates its target receptor.
- Growth hormone signaling: models of the secretagogue pathway and its regulation.
- Selectivity comparisons: contrasting ipamorelin with less selective secretagogues.
These are preclinical, model-based observations. Ipamorelin is supplied strictly as a research compound, and this article does not describe use in people or animals.
Handling and verification
As with any short peptide, what matters in practice is the purity of the batch in front of you. Ipamorelin is verified by HPLC and mass spectrometry, ships lyophilized, and comes with its certificate of analysis. A Codex Research vial can be checked by its batch number.
Research use only
All products sold by Codex Research, including ipamorelin, are strictly for laboratory research and development. They are not for human or animal consumption and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The compound at Codex Research
Ipamorelin, 10 mg per vial — batch-verified, with its certificate of analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of peptide is ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide (five amino acids) classed as a growth hormone secretagogue. It acts as an agonist at the ghrelin receptor and is used strictly for laboratory research.
Why is ipamorelin called selective?
In laboratory models it shows a more focused activity at the ghrelin receptor with limited activity at other hormone systems, which makes it useful for attributing an observed effect to a single receptor.
How is ipamorelin verified for research?
Each batch is tested by HPLC for purity and mass spectrometry for identity and ships with a certificate of analysis. Codex Research vials can also be checked by batch number at codexresearchlab.com/verify/.