What is PT-141 (Bremelanotide)?
PT-141 is the research designation for bremelanotide, a cyclic synthetic peptide analog of the neuropeptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It belongs to a class called melanocortin-receptor agonists — compounds that engage the receptors of the melanocortin system, a network of receptors (MC1R–MC5R) involved in a range of physiological signaling. Bremelanotide is characterized in the literature as having notable affinity for the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R).
PT-141 originated from research on an earlier melanocortin peptide and was advanced through clinical development by Palatin Technologies, later out-licensed to AMAG Pharmaceuticals. Throughout this guide, PT-141 is discussed strictly as a laboratory research peptide — the material Peptora supplies is not a medicine, and nothing here describes human or animal use, dosing, or administration.
The essentials at a glance
Cyclic α-MSH analog
A cyclic synthetic peptide modeled on the neuropeptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
Melanocortin agonist
Studied as an agonist at melanocortin receptors, with notable affinity for the MC4R.
Melanocortin system tool
Used in research to probe the central melanocortin circuitry and α-MSH-analog pharmacology.
99%+ verified purity
HPLC-verified and confirmed by LC-MS, with a batch-specific certificate of analysis — research use only.
Work with research-grade PT-141
A melanocortin-receptor agonist, HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, with a batch-specific certificate of analysis in every order — for laboratory research use only.
View PT-141How PT-141 works: the melanocortin-receptor mechanism
The mechanism researchers study centers on the melanocortin receptors — a family of five G-protein-coupled receptors (MC1R through MC5R) that respond to melanocortin peptides such as α-MSH:
- α-MSH analog — bremelanotide is a cyclic synthetic analog of α-MSH, the endogenous neuropeptide that natively activates several melanocortin receptors.
- MC4R activity — the literature characterizes bremelanotide as a melanocortin-receptor agonist with notable affinity for the MC4R, a receptor implicated in central nervous system signaling.
- Central melanocortin system — because it engages central melanocortin circuitry, PT-141 is studied as a pharmacological tool for that system, distinct from peripheral or vascular mechanisms.
The broader central melanocortin system is described in review literature as a target of interest across several areas of physiology. Because melanocortin peptides can engage more than one receptor subtype, selectivity and receptor profile are recurring themes in how these compounds are characterized.
The melanocortin system in context
PT-141 is best understood alongside the wider family of melanocortin peptides and the receptors they engage. The melanocortin receptors span diverse roles, and different melanocortin analogs are distinguished by which receptors they target:
| Receptor | Broadly associated in research with | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MC1R | Pigmentation biology | Engaged by several α-MSH analogs |
| MC3R | Central / metabolic signaling | One of the central melanocortin receptors |
| MC4R | Central nervous system signaling | The receptor bremelanotide is noted for engaging |
| MC5R | Exocrine-gland biology | Peripheral melanocortin receptor |
Review literature on the central melanocortin system notes that this circuitry has been explored as a target across multiple areas of physiology, and that several melanocortin-receptor peptides have advanced through clinical development. PT-141 is one research tool within that broader landscape.
Clinical-development history
Bremelanotide has a documented clinical-development history, which provides useful scientific context — while remaining separate from the research-grade material Peptora supplies:
- Palatin Technologies & AMAG — bremelanotide was developed by Palatin Technologies and later out-licensed to AMAG Pharmaceuticals for North American development.
- Phase 3 program — two identical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials (the RECONNECT studies, NCT02333071 and NCT02338960) evaluated bremelanotide, and their results have been published in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Characterized safety signals — across the clinical program, the most commonly reported adverse events in the literature included nausea, flushing, and headache, and controlled studies characterized small, transient blood-pressure changes — context that reflects published clinical findings.
Two points of context matter. First, this literature describes clinical research conducted under prescription-drug development, not the research-grade material Peptora supplies. Second, these are descriptions of published findings — they are not efficacy claims, medical guidance, or instructions for use, and nothing here describes or endorses use outside controlled research.
What the research explores
Across the melanocortin literature, PT-141 / bremelanotide appears in a handful of connected research areas:
- Melanocortin-receptor pharmacology — how a cyclic α-MSH analog engages the melanocortin receptors, particularly MC4R.
- Central melanocortin system — the receptor circuitry that bremelanotide is used to probe.
- Receptor-profile characterization — selectivity and affinity across melanocortin receptor subtypes.
- Clinical-development context — the published phase 2 and phase 3 record that frames how the compound has been studied.
These are descriptions of published findings — they are not efficacy claims, and nothing here describes or endorses use outside controlled research.
Purity, testing & certificates of analysis
In research, the reliability of a result depends on the identity and purity of the material behind it. Every batch of PT-141 from Peptora is HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, confirmed by LC-MS identity testing, and screened across a full quality-control panel before release. Each order ships with a lot-specific certificate of analysis (COA) so the material can be matched to its documentation.
Researchers often choose Peptora precisely because this documentation is standard rather than optional. To understand what each figure on a report means, see the guide on purity and certificates of analysis and the overview of testing standards.
Handling PT-141 in the laboratory
PT-141 is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Before research use it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, which is sold separately. Careful handling preserves peptide integrity and the validity of downstream work:
- 1Allow the sealed vial to reach room temperature before opening.
- 2Add bacteriostatic water slowly against the vial wall; swirl gently and do not shake.
- 3Let the powder dissolve fully before drawing.
- 4Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated and protected from light.
Full step-by-step protocols live in the reconstitution guide and the storage guide. Following them consistently is one of the simplest ways to keep research reproducible.
Scientific references
The literature below is provided for educational context, per PubMed, and describes pharmacological and clinical research on bremelanotide and the melanocortin system — not the laboratory research product supplied by Peptora. It is a summary of published findings, not clinical guidance.
- 1Kingsberg SA, Clayton AH, Portman D, et al. Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(5):899-908. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003500 (PMID: 31599840; NCT02333071, NCT02338960).
- 2Dhillon S, Keam SJ. Bremelanotide: First Approval. Drugs. 2019;79(14):1599-1606. doi:10.1007/s40265-019-01187-w (PMID: 31429064).
- 3Sweeney P, Gimenez LE, Hernandez CC, Cone RD. Targeting the central melanocortin system for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2023;19(9):507-519. doi:10.1038/s41574-023-00855-y (PMID: 37365323).
- 4Clayton AH, Kingsberg SA, Portman D, et al. Safety Profile of Bremelanotide Across the Clinical Development Program. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022;31(2):171-182. doi:10.1089/jwh.2021.0191 (PMID: 35147466).
- 5White WB, Myers MG, Jordan R, Lucas J. Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess the melanocortin receptor agonist bremelanotide. J Hypertens. 2017;35(4):761-768. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000001221 (PMID: 27977473).
- 6Mayer D, Lynch SE. Bremelanotide: New Drug Approved for Treating Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. Ann Pharmacother. 2020;54(7):684-690. doi:10.1177/1060028019899152 (PMID: 31893927).
Explore research-grade PT-141
HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity, batch-specific COA, fast U.S. shipping — for laboratory research use only.
View PT-141Key takeaways
- PT-141 is the research designation for bremelanotide, a cyclic synthetic peptide analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).
- It is studied as a melanocortin-receptor agonist, with notable affinity for the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) within the central melanocortin system.
- Bremelanotide was developed clinically by Palatin Technologies and later out-licensed to AMAG Pharmaceuticals, with published phase 2 and phase 3 (RECONNECT) trial results.
- The published clinical record characterizes commonly reported adverse events (nausea, flushing, headache) and small, transient blood-pressure changes — context that reflects clinical findings, not guidance.
- PT-141 is a laboratory research compound only; the underlying literature describes clinical and pharmacological research, not the research-grade material Peptora supplies, and makes no efficacy claims.
- Peptora's PT-141 is a lyophilized powder, HPLC-verified to 99%+ purity with a lot-specific certificate of analysis, reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before research use.
Frequently asked questions
This article is intended solely as an educational summary of publicly available scientific literature. Products offered by Peptora are supplied exclusively for laboratory research purposes and are not approved for human or veterinary use. The information presented should not be interpreted as medical advice, treatment recommendations, or clinical guidance.
