Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide is studied as a cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 (mc4) receptor agonist in biochemical and physiological models.
Setmelanotide Biological Classification
Investigated within physiological and chemical models.
What kind of compound
Peptide
Cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 (MC4) receptor agonist.
Human testing on file
0human records
0 animal · 0 total indexed. No plain-English evidence summary on file.
Regulatory position
FDA-approved drug substance
Studied for
Melanocortin analogues
Reviewed 15 September 2026
Known safety concerns in this file
- No sourced human safety summary is recorded for this compound.
Commonly compared with
No comparison set is recorded for this compound yet.
Open side-by-side comparison →What is Setmelanotide?
Setmelanotide is classified as a cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 (mc4) receptor agonist. An approved cyclic melanocortin-4 receptor agonist for rare genetic and acquired forms of obesity. It belongs to the same melanocortin analogue family as bremelanotide, afamelanotide and melanotan II, each with its own regulatory position.
Why are people interested in it?
Researchers and clinicians study Setmelanotide primarily to understand its biological interactions, receptor binding affinity, and potential role within its biochemical class.
Primary Research Categories
- Melanocortin analogues
- Approved drug substances
How does it work in the body?
Setmelanotide interacts with specific cellular receptors and metabolic pathways corresponding to its structural classification as a cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 (mc4) receptor agonist.
Biological Pathway Overview
Setmelanotide Receptor & Target Interactions
This compound is evaluated in scientific research for its interactions with target cellular receptors and signaling cascades. Consult the evidence section below for specific peer-reviewed papers.
Target Pathway
Engages specific cellular signaling cascades characteristic of its structural family.
Endocrine/Paracrine Activity
Investigated for its regulatory effects on local tissue synthesis and cellular signaling.
What has actually been demonstrated in humans?
Evidence for Setmelanotide is currently derived primarily from laboratory or preclinical models. Consult the published evidence file for specific indexed studies.
Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals
Setmelanotide is not an FDA-approved medication. Always verify chemical identity and testing documentation before interpreting research literature.
What is still uncertain or unknown?
Controlled human clinical trials evaluating Setmelanotide for therapeutic efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics are limited or absent in peer-reviewed Western registries.
Companion Resources & Guides
Research at a Glance
Open the full evidence file (0 records)No evidence records in this file yet.
What Has Actually Been Studied
What is Still Unknown
What we know
Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built
What remains uncertain
Preparation and Handling
Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.
United States Regulatory Status
FDA-approved drug substance
Application: NDA 213793 (IMCIVREE)
Approved Indication: Marketed in the United States as IMCIVREE, approved to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction in specified patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, or obesity due to POMC, PCSK1 or LEPR deficiency confirmed by genetic testing.
- IMCIVREE (setmelanotide acetate), NDA 213793, approved 25 November 2020 as a new molecular entity under priority review.
- The label effective 1 April 2026 includes acquired hypothalamic obesity alongside the genetic indications.
- Not named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List.
Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
- Molecular weight
- 1117.3 Da (anhydrous free base, FDA label)
- Sequence length
- 97 chars
- CAS number
- 920014-72-8
- PubChem CID
- 11993702
- Compound class
- Cyclic octapeptide melanocortin-4 (MC4) receptor agonist
- Sequence
- Ac-Arg-cyclo[Cys-D-Ala-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-NH2, with a disulfide bond between residues 2 and 8
- Molecular formula
- C49H68N18O9S2
- Molecular weight
- 1117.3 Da (anhydrous free base, FDA label)
- CAS number
- 920014-72-8
- PubChem CID
- 11993702
Sources
Last reviewed 15 September 2026 · Compiled by Therapept Editorial · How these records are built