Ipamorelin Australia: Research Guide, Purity & COA
Published 9 June 2026
Compiled by the APL Research TeamSourced directly from peer-reviewed pharmacological literature and clinical guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- Expert Insight: Ipamorelin is a selective pentapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue that acts on the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) to stimulate GH release without significantly affecting other pituitary hormones.
- Quality Assurance: Every batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (HPLC + MS); select batches receive independent third-party purity verification.
- Research Use Only: Ipamorelin is supplied for in-vitro laboratory research — not for human or animal consumption.
What Is Ipamorelin?
Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth-hormone secretagogue (GHS) developed in the late 1990s. It belongs to the class of GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) that stimulate GH secretion by acting on the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) — the same receptor bound by the endogenous hormone ghrelin.
What sets ipamorelin apart from earlier GHS compounds (GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin) is its selectivity: it stimulates GH release without significantly affecting ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin at GH-stimulating doses in research models. That clean profile has made it a preferred research tool for studying GH-specific effects without confounding hormonal variables.
Australian Peptide Labs supplies ipamorelin in Australia as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory work. This page is an overview and sourcing guide; for the receptor pharmacology, see the deep-dive article linked below.
Molecular Profile
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂ |
| Type | Selective pentapeptide GH secretagogue (GHRP) |
| Molecular Formula | C₃₈H₄₉N₉O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 711.85 Da |
| Receptor Target | GHS-R1a (ghrelin receptor) |
| Half-Life | ~2 hours |
| Appearance | Lyophilised powder |
Research Applications
Ipamorelin is studied primarily within growth-hormone-axis research:
- Selective GH release — a model compound for stimulating GH via GHS-R1a without the cortisol/prolactin elevation seen with less-selective GHRPs.
- Complementary-mechanism studies — frequently studied alongside GHRH analogs such as CJC-1295; the two act through distinct, complementary pathways (Gq/11–PLC vs Gs–cAMP), a common focus of combined GH-research models.
- Ghrelin-receptor signalling — used to probe GHS-R1a activation and downstream calcium-mediated GH exocytosis.
These are preclinical and in-vitro findings only and do not establish any effect in humans. For the full mechanism — GHS-R1a signalling and the selectivity profile — see our deep-dive article: Ipamorelin: Selective Growth Hormone Secretagogue Research. See also The Growth Hormone Axis and CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin: Synergy in GH Research.
Quality & Certificate of Analysis
Every batch of ipamorelin is analysed in-house by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS), and ships with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA). HPLC quantifies purity (we specify ≥98%, the High-Tier Research Grade standard), while MS confirms the molecular identity of the peptide. Select batches also undergo independent, third-party purity verification.
Learn more: Every Ipamorelin batch certificate · How purity is verified · How to read a COA.
Handling, Reconstitution & Storage
Ipamorelin is supplied lyophilised. Store the lyophilised powder at -20°C, reconstitute with bacteriostatic water following standard protocols, and keep the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2-8°C), protected from light, with freeze-thaw cycles minimised.
Sourcing Ipamorelin for Research in Australia
Australian Peptide Labs supplies ipamorelin as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory use only. Orders are dispatched same day from within Australia with a Certificate of Analysis included, with cold-chain handling where required. Ipamorelin is not approved for human therapeutic use and is not for human or animal consumption; researchers are responsible for compliance with TGA regulations and institutional protocols.
View CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin product details & current purity →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ipamorelin legal to buy in Australia? Ipamorelin is supplied strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory use. It is not approved for human therapeutic use in Australia and is not for human or animal consumption. Researchers are responsible for compliance with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations and their institution's protocols.
How is the purity of ipamorelin verified? Every batch is analysed in-house by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) and ships with a Certificate of Analysis. Select batches also undergo independent, third-party purity verification.
What is ipamorelin studied for in research? Ipamorelin is studied as a selective growth-hormone secretagogue — a GHS-R1a (ghrelin-receptor) agonist — in growth-hormone-axis research. It is valued because it stimulates GH release without significantly affecting ACTH, cortisol or prolactin in models. These are laboratory research findings only and do not establish any effect in humans.
Does Australian Peptide Labs provide dosing guidance? No. As these compounds are supplied for laboratory research only, we do not provide dosing or administration protocols. Our research library covers reconstitution and concentration calculations for in-vitro work.
How should ipamorelin be stored and reconstituted? Ipamorelin ships as a lyophilised powder and is stable at -20°C before reconstitution. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water following standard protocols, then store the solution at 2-8°C, protected from light, and minimise freeze-thaw cycles. See our reconstitution and storage guides for full protocols.
References
- Raun, K. et al. "Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue." European Journal of Endocrinology, 1998. — PubMed: 9849822
- Gobburu, J.V. et al. "Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers." Pharmaceutical Research, 1999. — PubMed: 10496658
- Johansen, P.B. et al. "Ipamorelin, a new growth-hormone-releasing peptide, induces longitudinal bone growth in rats." Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society, 1999. — PubMed: 10373343
⚠️ Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer:The information provided in this academic article is intended exclusively for educational and laboratory research purposes. It does NOT constitute medical advice. Compounds discussed are strictly for in-vitro research and development only, and are not intended for human consumption, veterinary use, or clinical treatment. Always adhere to Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulations and your institution's ethical guidelines when handling research chemicals.