P Palthera
Hormone Analogues

Sermorelin

GHRH(1-29) / GRF(1-29)NH2 / Geref

Sermorelin is the C-terminally amidated 29- N-terminal of human . It was FDA-approved as Geref for paediatric growth hormone deficiency in the late 1990s; the originator product was discontinued from US distribution in 2008 and the compound is no longer marketed by the original sponsor. Research literature includes paediatric clinical trials, PEGylated development, and anti-doping detection methodology.

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Hormone Analogues
Classification
Synthetic GHRH(1–29) analogue · Historically FDA-approved (Geref; discontinued 2008)
Research stage
Historical clinical use (paediatric GH deficiency); current research includes preclinical analogue and detection methodology
Sequence
Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2
Molecular weight
3357.9 Da

Snapshot

Key takeaways

A three-bullet snapshot before reading the full dossier.

  1. 01

    Endogenously identical to the first 29 of human (with C-terminal ).

  2. 02

    Historically FDA-approved for paediatric short stature; originator product withdrawn from US market in 2008.

  3. 03

    Subsequent research includes longer-acting PEGylated and anti-doping detection methodology.

Dossier overview

4

research areas

3

references

3

handling notes

01

Mechanism of action

Sermorelin binds the at the pituitary, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone release. Because the molecule is a truncated form of native GHRH, plasma is shorter than that of longer-acting GHRH such as tesamorelin or CJC-1295.

02

Research applications

  • Endocrine - pharmacology
  • Paediatric growth-hormone-axis clinical research (historical)
  • Long-acting and PEGylated GRF research
  • Anti-doping detection methodology

Evidence at a glance

What's behind this profile

3 citations · 1986–2003

Human
1

Studies in human volunteers or patients (incl. early-phase trials).

Animal
1

Studies in rodents or other animal models.

Review
1

Narrative or systematic reviews; no primary data.

Publication years

  1. 86
  2. 87
  3. 88
  4. 89
  5. 90
  6. 91
  7. 92
  8. 93
  9. 94
  10. 95
  11. 96
  12. 97
  13. 98
  14. 99
  15. 00
  16. 01
  17. 02
  18. 03
19862003

Counts are derived from the cited studies below. A study covering both in vivo and in vitro work is counted by its primary model. Sample size is reported in 1 of 3 citations. Findings remain model-specific and are not extrapolated to therapeutic use.

03

Study references

Each profile cites a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources, with model type and reported sample size where the source provides it. Findings are model-specific and must not be extrapolated to therapeutic use.

Growth hormone releasing hormone

1986

Grossman A et al. · Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism

Model
Narrative review of GHRH biology and therapeutic potential
Sample
N/A (review)

Reviewed physiology, structure-activity relationships, and early therapeutic exploration in growth hormone deficiency, providing foundational context for sermorelin development.

PMID 2429796 DOI 10.1016/s0300-595x(86)80012-3

Treatment with GHRH(1-29)NH2 in children with idiopathic short stature

1994

Kirk JM et al. · Clinical Endocrinology

Model
Uncontrolled paediatric clinical trial in children with idiopathic short stature
Sample
n=18

Twice-daily sermorelin injections were associated with an increase in height velocity from 4.8 to 7.2 cm/year over 12 months in the cohort of children studied.

PMID 7955460 DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1994.tb02580.x

PEGylation of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRF) analogues

2003

Esposito P et al. · Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews

Model
Preclinical in vitro and in vivo (rat and pig) study of PEGylated GRF conjugates
Sample
Not reported in abstract

PEGylated GRF conjugates were associated with retained bioactivity and prolonged pharmacodynamic response in the rat and pig models used.

PMID 14499707 DOI 10.1016/s0169-409x(03)00109-1

Evidence caveats

  • Originator FDA-approved product (Geref) is no longer marketed in the United States. Current availability and regulatory status vary by jurisdiction.
  • Much of the foundational paediatric clinical evidence is from small, often uncontrolled, single-centre studies conducted in the 1990s. Modern controlled paediatric trials are limited.

04

Storage and handling

Store under controlled laboratory conditions with batch and preparation details recorded.

  • The originator product (Geref) is no longer FDA-marketed; any clinical use today involves alternative regulatory pathways.
  • Research-grade material must be stored under controlled laboratory conditions with full batch traceability.
  • Use research-only material strictly within authorised research contexts.

Common questions

Sermorelin FAQ

Plain-English answers backed by the citations on this profile — what it is, what's been studied, regulatory status, evidence limits.

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