In the U.S. Phase 3 trial in 94 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, median pain-free time in direct sunlight after 6 months was 69.4 hours versus 40.8 hours with placebo (P=0.04).
Langendonk JG et al., N Engl J Med 2015Free shipping over €250 · Tracked, discreet delivery in Europe
premium-grade research peptides
Melanotan10 mg
Melanocortin receptor agonist. Afamelanotide research compound. Lyophilized powder for reconstitution.
Lyophilized peptide · single vial
What it is
The compound described here is afamelanotide, also called Melanotan I, a synthetic 13 amino acid analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Two substitutions make it more stable and longer acting than the natural hormone. It is the best characterised melanocortin agonist in photodermatology research, and it is a different molecule from the cyclic analogue Melanotan II.
- Class
- Beauty & Longevity
- Formula
- Melanotan · 10 mg
- Format
- Lyophilized powder
How it works
Melanotan compounds are synthetic melanocortin receptor agonists, a class that includes afamelanotide.
MC1R
Signals pigment cells
Melanocortin-1 receptor activation stimulates melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, in research models.
Pigment
Studied for photoprotection
Afamelanotide, a related analog, is studied for increasing eumelanin as a protective response to UV exposure.
Class
A wider receptor family
Melanocortin receptors also touch appetite and sexual function, which shapes how the class is researched.
Key benefits
- Melanocortin research focused on pigmentation and tanning response.
- Protocols studying how the melanocortin system influences melanin.
- Studied as a pigmentation-focused compound, not a weight or recovery one.
Laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use.
What published research is studying
Human clinical data- Pain-free sunlight exposure in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (two Phase 3 trials)
- Phototoxic burn tolerance time and quality of life in real-world protoporphyria cohorts
- Repigmentation when combined with narrowband UV-B phototherapy in vitiligo
- Pharmacokinetics and pigment response of the controlled-release implant
Human evidence is unusually strong for this class, with two randomised placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials and multi-year cohorts. Almost all of it sits in erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare disease.
Key research findings and references
Key research findings
In the parallel European Phase 3 trial in 74 patients, median pain-free time after 9 months was 6.0 hours versus 0.8 hours with placebo (P=0.005). Phototoxic reactions numbered 77 versus 146.
Langendonk JG et al., N Engl J Med 2015In a three-year Swiss observational study of 39 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria, maximum phototoxic burn tolerance time rose from a median 10 minutes to a median 180 minutes.
Barman-Aksözen J et al., Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020In a randomized multicenter vitiligo trial in 55 participants, afamelanotide plus narrowband UV-B reached 48.6% repigmentation at day 168 versus 33.3% with narrowband UV-B alone.
Lim HW et al., JAMA Dermatol 2015Published study duration
- U.S. Phase 3 protoporphyria trial: primary pain-free exposure compared at 6 months, with implants placed every 60 days (Langendonk et al. 2015).
- European Phase 3 protoporphyria trial: primary pain-free exposure compared at 9 months (Langendonk et al. 2015).
- Vitiligo trial: 168 days, following a 1-month narrowband UV-B run-in (Lim et al. 2015).
Research endpoints
- Hours of direct sunlight exposure without pain
- Number of phototoxic reactions
- Maximum phototoxic burn tolerance time
- Percent repigmentation of affected body surface
- Disease-specific quality-of-life score
References
- Langendonk JG et al., N Engl J Med 2015. Afamelanotide for erythropoietic protoporphyria
- Barman-Aksözen J et al., Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020. Increased phototoxic burn tolerance time and quality of life, a three-year observational study
- Lim HW et al., JAMA Dermatol 2015. Afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B phototherapy in vitiligo, a randomized multicenter trial
- Grimes PE et al., JAMA Dermatol 2013. Efficacy of afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B for repigmentation of vitiligo
- Minder EI et al., Clin Pharmacokinet 2017. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of afamelanotide
- Kim ES et al., Am J Clin Dermatol 2016. Afamelanotide, a review in erythropoietic protoporphyria
Summaries of published research, for context only. Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
premium-grade research peptides
Melanotan10 mg
Melanocortin receptor agonist. Afamelanotide research compound. Lyophilized powder for reconstitution.
Choose your vial
Choose strength
Quantity
1 vial
Add 2 more, save 5%
1 × Melanotan · 10 mg€65 / vial
€65
Free1 × 3 ml bacteriostatic water · 10 × 0.5 ml syringes · 10 × alcohol swabs · uu.life research handling card
- €185 to free shipping
- Ships in 1-2 business days
- Discreet EU
What you get
- 1 × Melanotan · 10 mg
Medical supply kitFreeOne kit with every vial1 × 3 ml bacteriostatic water10 × 0.5 ml syringes10 × alcohol swabs- uu.life research handling card
One supply kit ships with every vial: the counts above follow the quantity.
Optional spare suppliesHow To Use The Vials
The standard supplies above ship free with every vial. Add extras only if the research plan needs more.
Independently lab tested
99%+ purity standard
Identity verified by LC-MS
Batch COA available
Tracked delivery to European Union
Research bundles
Explore research bundles
Curated pairs and blends this compound is studied alongside. Priced live from the catalogue.
Research pairLongevity bundle
NAD+ + Epithalon
Cellular energy research next to aging-model research. Two of the most cited longevity compounds, in one order.
Research handling
Full handling guide- 01
Lyophilized, sealed, batch-numbered
Each vial ships as a freeze-dried powder under an inert seal, tied to the batch on its Certificate of Analysis.
- 02
Store cold and dark
Unopened vials are kept refrigerated at 2-8°C away from light. Reconstituted material is stored refrigerated and used within the window the research plan defines.
- 03
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water
The included bacteriostatic water is added slowly down the vial wall and the vial is swirled, never shaken.
- 04
Research use only
Supplied for laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. Handle with the personal protective equipment the laboratory requires.
Before you order
What ships in the box?
The vials selected, plus a free supply kit with every vial: one 3 ml bacteriostatic water, ten 0.5 ml syringes and ten alcohol swabs per vial, and the uu.life research handling card.
How does volume pricing work?
The price per vial depends on how many vials of the same strength are on the line. 3-4 vials take 5% off, 5 or more take 10% off. The discount is applied automatically and shows on the product page, in the cart and at checkout.
Is every batch tested?
Yes. Every batch is tested by an independent laboratory for identity and purity, and the Certificate of Analysis is linked from this page and the lab-testing library.
How fast is delivery?
Orders are typically dispatched within 1-2 business days and arrive across most of Europe in 3-5 business days, tracked, in discreet packaging. Orders over €250 ship free, and Shipping Protection can be added at checkout.
Is this for human use?
No. Every product is sold for laboratory research only and is not for human or veterinary use.
Ready to order Melanotan?
Choose a strength and quantity above. Volume pricing applies automatically.
Quality you can trace.
Batch-tested purity
Every vial ships with a Certificate of Analysis from an independent third-party lab. No exceptions.
Fast shipping
Orders are typically dispatched within 1-2 business days. Most European deliveries arrive in 3-5 business days.
Replacement guarantee
Arrived damaged? Send photos and the order number and a replacement is arranged.
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