Endocrine

Ipamorelin

Selective growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist. Reached phase 2 clinical trials.

Early clinical

Overview

Ipamorelin was described in 1998 as the first selective GH secretagogue — able to stimulate GH release without significantly raising ACTH or cortisol in animal models. It was clinically tested for postoperative ileus, but development did not proceed to registration.

Mechanism of action

Agonist of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a, the ghrelin receptor) in the pituitary.

Research areas

  • GH/IGF-1 axis
  • Gastrointestinal motility
  • Experimental endocrinology

Selected references

  1. Raun K et al. Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;139(5):552–561. PubMed ↗

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