Investors Lab

Peptide portfolio: Biohacker medicine cabinet

Partially filled syringes and red pill capsules are laid in a pattern on a pink background, in a way to illustrate how peptides may be administered.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be poised to provide even greater access to peptides.

Volanthevist/Moment/Getty Images

By Susanna Camp

💉 Peptides are popping up all over

From powders to pills to potions — and increasingly, injectables — peptides are everywhere these days. Unfortunately, many are also unproven; they have not undergone rigorous testing in humans to prove that they’re safe and that they work. Many of these products are sold on the gray market, labeled as “not for human use” or “for research purposes only”, but that hasn’t deterred the diehards. Fortunately for the biohacker set, the current leadership at the United States Department of Health and Human Services and Food and Drug Administration appears ready to lower regulatory barriers. Jamie Ducharme brings a dose of reality for Science News.

🧪 Science without the lab coat

What are peptides? They’re short stretches of amino acids. While a protein is a complex, sprawling architectural marvel of amino acids, a peptide is a much shorter chain — essentially a building block in the biological structure. Natural peptides in the body act as hormones and play roles in tissue healing and metabolism: a biohacker’s paradise. Some peptides, like the blockbuster pharma cash cow Ozempic (a GLP-1, which stands for glucagon-like peptide-1) have proven their clinical worth, while other, unproven variants have only been tested in rats, leaving human safety and efficacy data in a precarious “wait and see” mode.

🏦 Peptide portfolio: Biohacker medicine cabinet

At the heart of this potential regulatory shift is a booming market for injectable peptides that fitness enthusiasts, biohackers and the tech bro set are reported to be self-administering at home. In San Francisco, it’s said that “everyone has a Chinese peptide dealer” keeping their fridge stocked.

Among the most popular are BPC-157 and TB-500, peptides marketed for injury recovery and sports performance. These two formulas are often sold in a combination known as a “Wolverine Stack”, in reference to the comic book character with uncanny regenerative abilities. Both substances — alone or in combination — are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Claims also abound for GHK-Cu for collagen production, Selank for focus and anxiety relief and Semax for cognitive enhancement. Digging into scientific publications turns up cautionary statements about lack of evidence to support clinical use, a critical need for human trials to assess safety, and plenty of studies on rats and other rodents.

A little approval will go a long way. If federal agencies authorize compounding pharmacies — lab facilities that take the raw ingredients of a drug and create alternative forms, custom dosages, or tailored formulas — to produce injectable peptides, or permit peptides to be included in oral dietary supplements, companies may move to pour billions into manufacturing hubs, skyrocketing volume to meet demand.

💊 Digital dispensaries

You no longer need a suspicious WhatsApp contact to stock your crisper drawer; a wave of venture-backed telehealth startups is ready to ship these formulas straight to your door. Note: As the American Medical Association advises, “all questions are good questions,” and you should absolutely ask your doctor before using.

  • Ro (the business name for Roman Health Medical): While the company began in men’s health, they have aggressively moved into the weight loss, fertility and sexual performance space, providing compounded and injectable formulas. The company has raised $1 billion, with its most recent round of $150 million in 2022.
  • Next Health: a wellness provider known for its combinations of BPC-157 and TB-500, among other peptides. They also offer injection training and consultations with providers. This company is still at seed stage, with no financial data reported.
  • Hone Health offers supplements marketed for weight loss, longevity and sexual health, among other areas, along with consultation and an app. The company has raised a total of $38 million, closing a $33 million Series A round in 2025.

With Washington, D.C.’s regulatory gates poised to swing wide open under a new peptide-friendly leadership backed by the Make America Healthy Again movement, the line between fringe biohacking and mainstream healthcare is poised to evaporate.

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