A SHORT HISTORY
Four decades of peptides.
From the first recombinant hormones to today's cellular-health research. Explore individual compounds in the Peptide Library.
1980s
Recombinant peptides arrive
Recombinant human insulin (1982) and growth hormone (1985) show that the body's own messenger molecules can be produced reliably, opening the modern era of peptide medicine.
1980s
Growth hormone secretagogues
Researchers describe small synthetic peptides that prompt the pituitary to release growth hormone, the lineage that later includes compounds such as Ipamorelin.
1980s–90s
Russian bioregulator research
Institutes in St. Petersburg study short peptides such as Epithalon and later Semax and Selank, with a focus on aging, cognition, and stress resilience.
1990s
BPC-157 and repair signaling
A peptide fragment derived from a gastric protein is described and studied in preclinical work for tissue repair and gut integrity.
1990s
Thymic peptides and immunity
Thymosin Alpha-1, isolated from thymus tissue, is developed and studied for its role in immune regulation.
2005
The first GLP-1 medicine
Exenatide, modeled on a peptide found in Gila monster saliva, becomes the first approved GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes.
2010
Tesamorelin is approved
A growth-hormone-releasing peptide receives approval for a specific clinical use, a milestone for the secretagogue class.
2015
MOTS-c is described
Scientists identify a peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, reframing mitochondria as signaling centers rather than only power plants.
2017–2021
Longer-acting GLP-1 therapies
Once-weekly GLP-1 medicines reshape metabolic care, and later approvals extend their use to weight management.
2022
Dual-action incretins
Tirzepatide, acting on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, is approved, marking a new generation of metabolic peptides.
Today
Precision and oversight
Peptide research spans metabolism, repair, immunity, and cellular aging. Many compounds remain investigational, and clinician-guided care is more important than ever.
This history is educational and summarizes general milestones. It is not medical advice, and the mention of a compound does not mean it is approved or appropriate for any individual use.