The short version: Tesamorelin is a synthetic GHRH analog that is FDA-approved under the brand name Egrifta for a specific clinical indication, but the research peptide sold online is a different product category entirely. Before ordering, verify the supplier’s lot-specific certificate of analysis, confirm the testing laboratory is independent, and check that the listing maintains a strict research-use-only boundary. Stack Research publishes lot-specific documentation for its Tesamorelin 10 mg research peptide, which is the baseline standard any researcher should expect.
Search for tesamorelin for sale and you will find a market with price points that range from around $45 for a 5 mg vial on some research sites to several hundred dollars for higher-concentration configurations. The spread is not explained by the cost of the raw material alone. It is explained by differences in sourcing, testing, documentation, and the degree to which each seller is willing to be transparent about what is actually in the vial.
This guide is written for laboratory researchers who need to evaluate a tesamorelin supplier before placing an order. It covers what the published clinical data shows about the compound, how the FDA-approved version differs from the research-grade material, how to read a certificate of analysis without getting misled, and the specific questions that separate a transparent supplier from one that is hoping you will not ask.
What tesamorelin is, and what the clinical data shows
Tesamorelin is a synthetic analog of human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), also known as growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It is composed of the 44-amino-acid sequence of human GRF with a trans-3-hexenoyl group attached to the N-terminus, a modification designed to increase its half-life over that of native GHRH(1-44). The compound binds to and stimulates GHRH receptors in the pituitary, promoting the pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone and subsequently increasing IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels.
The clinical evidence base for tesamorelin is substantial. In a randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007, 412 patients with HIV and abdominal fat accumulation received daily subcutaneous injections of either 2 mg of tesamorelin or placebo for 26 weeks. The measure of visceral adipose tissue decreased by 15.2 percent in the tesamorelin group and increased by 5.0 percent in the placebo group. Triglyceride levels decreased by 50 mg per deciliter in the tesamorelin group compared to an increase of 9 mg per deciliter in the placebo group. Levels of IGF-I increased by 81.0 percent in the tesamorelin group and decreased by 5.0 percent in the placebo group. Adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups, though more patients in the tesamorelin group withdrew because of an adverse event.
A 2026 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published in Obesity Research and Clinical Practice examined body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The authors concluded that tesamorelin improves body composition, hepatic fat, lean body mass, and IGF-1 levels without serious side effects or perturbation of glucose. The analysis noted that adverse events associated with tesamorelin included arthralgia, myalgia, paresthesia, and injection-site reactions such as erythema.
What tesamorelin is not, at least in the research peptide market, is a general weight-loss compound. The FDA label for Egrifta WR states explicitly that the product is not indicated for weight loss management and that it has a weight-neutral effect. The approved indication is limited to the reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected adult patients with lipodystrophy. The label also notes that long-term cardiovascular safety has not been established and that there are no data to support improved compliance with anti-retroviral therapies.
The difference between Egrifta and research-grade tesamorelin
Researchers need to understand a distinction that is often blurred in online listings. Egrifta is an FDA-approved prescription biologic. It received initial U.S. approval in 2010 and is manufactured by Theratechnologies Inc. under a Biologics License Application. It is available in two formulations, Egrifta WR and Egrifta SV, which differ in dosage, reconstitution instructions, and storage requirements. The two formulations are not substitutable.
The tesamorelin sold by research peptide suppliers is a different product category. It is a lyophilized powder labeled for laboratory research use only, not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or human use. The Stack Research Tesamorelin 10 mg product page states that the product is supplied only for lawful in-vitro laboratory or analytical research and that the page provides no dosing, administration, treatment, or diagnostic guidance.
The distinction matters because the regulatory framework around a prescription biologic is entirely different from the framework around a research chemical. A supplier that sells research-grade tesamorelin and markets it as equivalent to Egrifta is misrepresenting the product. A supplier that maintains the research-use boundary and provides analytical documentation is operating within a recognized research supply channel.
Video: Tesamorelin and visceral fat research
This third-party video provides general context on tesamorelin research. It is not affiliated with Stack Research and is not a substitute for laboratory documentation or the published literature.
The researcher’s sourcing checklist for tesamorelin
The difference between a defensible purchase and a gamble comes down to documentation. Here is what to check, in order.
1. Lot-specific certificate of analysis, not a generic sample
A certificate of analysis (COA) is only meaningful if it corresponds to the exact lot you are buying. A supplier that shows a single COA for “tesamorelin” without tying it to a lot number is showing you marketing material, not a laboratory report. The COA should list the lot number, the testing laboratory, the report ID, the date the sample was received, and the date the results were published.
Stack Research publishes a lot-specific report for its Tesamorelin 10 mg research peptide. The current lot documentation shows HPLC purity of 99.36 percent by HPLC, measured content of 10.59 mg, and passing results for identity, bacterial endotoxin, and sterility. The report identifies the testing laboratory as Accumark Labs and includes a report ID that can be cross-referenced. The product page shows the exact SKU, lot number, laboratory, report ID, and sample dates alongside the price.
2. What the COA actually tests
A certificate that lists only “purity: 99%” is incomplete. The useful fields are identity, purity by HPLC, measured content, endotoxin, and sterility. Identity confirms the peptide sequence matches the reference standard. Purity by HPLC shows the percentage of the sample that is the target compound. Measured content tells you how much peptide is actually in the vial, which can differ from the label. Endotoxin and sterility results speak to the handling conditions.
If a supplier’s COA omits measured content or endotoxin, that is a gap. It may not be a dealbreaker for every research context, but it is a data point about how thoroughly the supplier tests its material.
3. The research-use-only boundary
Every legitimate research peptide supplier uses the research-use-only (RUO) designation. The RUO label means the product is not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or human use. It is a legal boundary, not a suggestion.
What to watch for is a supplier that uses the RUO label while simultaneously publishing dosing information, before-and-after photos, or customer testimonials about human use. That combination is what the FDA has cited in warning letters. A supplier that maintains the boundary consistently is easier to trust because it is not trying to have it both ways. The Stack Research product page for tesamorelin states explicitly that the page does not provide dosing, administration, treatment, diagnostic, or human-outcome guidance.
4. Pricing and configuration transparency
Tesamorelin vials are typically sold in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg configurations. The price per milligram should be calculable from the listing. If the listing obscures the vial size, bundles it with accessories, or requires a minimum order to see pricing, that is friction that makes comparison harder. Stack Research lists its 10 mg Tesamorelin vial at $99.90 with volume pricing available to verified research accounts. The product page shows the exact SKU and lot information alongside the price, which makes the listing auditable.
5. The clinical context around the compound
Researchers studying tesamorelin should be aware that the compound has an approved clinical use, which distinguishes it from many other research peptides. The NEJM trial and subsequent meta-analyses provide a substantial evidence base for its effects on visceral adipose tissue and lipid profiles in a specific patient population. That literature is useful for researchers who need to understand the compound’s mechanism and clinical profile. It is not a substitute for the lot-specific analytical documentation that applies to the research vial in hand.
How Stack Research approaches tesamorelin documentation
Stack Research is a research peptide supplier that publishes lot-specific documentation for each product configuration. The company’s testing page describes the analytical methods used and the laboratories that perform the work. For researchers who need to verify a supplier before ordering, the relevant questions are whether the documentation is specific to the lot, whether the testing laboratory is named, and whether the results can be independently reviewed.
The Tesamorelin product page shows the current lot report directly on the page, with the purity, measured content, endotoxin, and sterility results visible without requiring a separate download. The COA library collects the reports for all products so that researchers can compare documentation across configurations. The company maintains a research-use-only boundary throughout its product descriptions and does not publish dosing or administration guidance.
That last point is worth emphasizing because it is the dividing line the FDA has drawn in its enforcement actions. A supplier can sell research peptides and publish analytical documentation without crossing into human-use marketing. When a supplier stays on the research side of that line, the documentation becomes the primary basis for evaluating the product. When a supplier crosses the line, the documentation is no longer the main thing being sold.
Comparing tesamorelin documentation standards
The table below outlines the documentation elements that separate a transparent listing from an incomplete one. It is not a ranking of suppliers but a framework for evaluating any listing you encounter.
| Documentation element | What a complete listing shows | Red flag if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Lot-specific COA | Report tied to the exact lot number, with testing lab named | Generic COA or no lot number |
| Identity test | Confirms peptide sequence matches reference standard | Purity percentage only, no identity result |
| Measured content | Actual peptide mass in the vial, not just label claim | No fill or content verification |
| Endotoxin and sterility | Pass/fail results for both | Omitted entirely |
| Research-use-only boundary | No dosing, administration, or human-use content | Testimonials, before/after photos, influencer dosing content |
| Price transparency | Vial size, price, and SKU visible together | Price hidden behind account creation or minimum order |
| Independent laboratory | Third-party lab named, report ID verifiable | In-house testing only, no independent verification |
The table is not a guarantee. A supplier can produce all of these documents and still be selling a product that does not match the report, which is why independent testing services exist. But a supplier that cannot produce the documents at all is not worth the time it takes to evaluate further.
Common questions researchers ask before buying tesamorelin
Is tesamorelin legal to buy for research purposes?
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved prescription drug under the brand name Egrifta, but the research peptide sold online is a different product category. Research peptides labeled for laboratory use occupy a different regulatory space. Researchers should purchase only from suppliers that maintain the research-use boundary and provide analytical documentation.
What purity should a tesamorelin COA show?
Purity by HPLC above 95 percent is the typical threshold for research-grade peptides. Many suppliers report 98 to 99 percent or higher. The purity figure is only meaningful alongside identity and content results. A vial can be 99 percent pure and still contain less peptide than the label claims if the fill is off.
How do I verify that a COA is real?
Check that the testing laboratory is named and that the report ID can be cross-referenced. Some laboratories publish verification portals where a report ID can be entered to confirm the document’s authenticity. If a supplier cannot tell you which laboratory performed the test, the COA cannot be independently verified.
What is the difference between tesamorelin and TH9507?
TH9507 is a designation used for tesamorelin in the research literature. The compound is the same. Researchers should confirm the identity of any product by its COA, not by the brand name or research designation on the vial.
What should I do if a supplier’s listing makes health claims?
Treat it as a disqualifying signal. Health claims on a research peptide listing are the exact pattern the FDA has cited in warning letters. A supplier that describes what the peptide “does” for the body is marketing an unapproved drug, regardless of the research-use label elsewhere on the page.
Can I compare tesamorelin documentation across suppliers?
Yes, and you should. The relevant fields are comparable across suppliers: purity, identity, measured content, endotoxin, sterility, and lot traceability. The guide to reading a certificate of analysis walks through each field and explains what a complete report should contain.
Important notice: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Research peptides discussed here are sold exclusively for laboratory research use and are not approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agency for human or veterinary use. Nothing in this article should be construed as guidance for human consumption, dosing, or administration. Statements regarding dietary supplements and research compounds have not been evaluated by the FDA. Researchers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction. Always consult the product label, the certificate of analysis, and a qualified professional before making decisions about any substance.




Botanical wellness is a holistic approach to health that focuses on the natural power of plants to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From herbal teas and essential oils to plant-based supplements and natural skincare, botanical solutions have been trusted for centuries across cultures.