Skip to content
PeptideTech
sign in
live116 compounds · 15 vendors listed · 7 graded · audit of 4 Nov 2026 · prices checked 6 Nov 2026independent · grades can’t be bought

Home / Research library / Melanotan-1

Peptides

Melanotan-1: molecular data, studies & sources

Melanotan-1 is catalogued here as a research compound. This profile brings together the molecular source record, selected indexed publications and available supplier comparisons. Evidence for a named substance does not authenticate a commercial product.

Compiled by PeptideTech Editors · Sources checked · Selected bibliography, not a systematic review

Molecular formula, weight & structure

Molecular formula (MF)
C78H111N21O19
Molecular weight (MW)
1646.8 g/mol
PubChem compound ID
16197727
Record title
Afamelanotide

Values describe the selected PubChem molecular entity. Counterions, salt forms, hydration and sequence changes can alter the supplied material. Confirm the exact identity against the supplier specification.

Source: PubChem CID 16197727 · retrieved 2026-09-21

2D molecular structure for Melanotan-1, PubChem CID 16197727
2D depiction from PubChem. Open to inspect the full image. This drawing represents the selected record, not a vendor batch test.
Chemical identifiers and source data
IUPAC name
(4S)-4-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-acetamido-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-1-[[(2R)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-6-amino-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxohexan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
InChIKey
UAHFGYDRQSXQEB-LEBBXHLNSA-N
SMILES
CCCC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CN=CN1)C(=O)N[C@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC=C43)C(=O)NCC(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N5CCC[C@H]5C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)C
Machine-readable PubChem source

Identifiers & sequence

PubChem CID
16197727
CAS Registry Number
75921-69-6via EPA DSSTox
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL441738
InChIKey
UAHFGYDRQSXQEB-LEBBXHLNSA-N

Other names and development codes: CUV-1647

Peptide sequence · 13 residues (one-letter code; X marks a residue without a one-letter code)

SYSXEHFRWGKPV

Condensed notation with terminal groups and non-standard residues

Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2

Source: PubChem Biologic Line Notation. A reference sequence for the record, not an analysis of a supplied batch.

CAS numbers are published only from ChemIDplus, EPA DSSTox or the FDA Global Substance Registration System; UNII codes are confirmed in FDA GSRS by structure, sequence or exact name. Checked 2026-10-07.

Calculated molecular descriptors
Monoisotopic (exact) mass1645.8365 Da
Heavy atoms118
Hydrogen-bond donors23
Hydrogen-bond acceptors21
Rotatable bonds50
Topological polar surface area643.0 Ų
Calculated logP (Crippen)-4.10
Rings6
Stereocenters12
Formal charge0

Computed with RDKit from the published SMILES (Crippen logP, topological polar surface area). Calculated descriptors are not measured properties of a supplied batch.

US regulatory status & drug development

Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is the active ingredient of SCENESSE, approved by the FDA under NDA 210797 (CLIVUNEL INC) on October 8, 2019; Drugs@FDA lists it as a marketed prescription product (checked October 7, 2026). Research-labelled Melanotan-1 listings are not SCENESSE and are not FDA-approved drugs.

FDA-approved medicines with the same active ingredient (Drugs@FDA)
MedicineApplicationSponsorFirst approvalMarketing status
SCENESSEafamelanotideNDA 210797DailyMed label: SCENESSE · 2026-05-11CLIVUNEL INCPrescription

An FDA approval covers a defined medicine, formulation and labelled use. It does not extend to research-labelled material sold under the same compound name. Identity basis: Melanotan-1 is afamelanotide ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH); the approved product lists afamelanotide (research record PubChem CID 16197727).

Source: Drugs@FDA via openFDA (application records; DailyMed label set IDs) · checked . openFDA data are not intended for clinical decisions.

Drug development record (ChEMBL)

Harmonized drug-development record from ChEMBL. The highest clinical stage is the furthest stage reached, as recorded by ChEMBL; it can lag regulatory approvals, and it is not an approval of a research-supplier product.

ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL441738
Modality
Protein / peptide
Highest clinical stage
Approved in at least one jurisdiction (ChEMBL phase 4)
Record name
AFAMELANOTIDE

Mechanism of action

  • Melanocortin receptor 1 agonist · target: Melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R)
Synonyms, codes and trade names
Trade and brand names (Drugs@FDA)
SCENESSE
Synonyms and development codes
Afamelanotide · CUV-1647 · CUV1647

Identity check: Identical standard InChIKey to the PubChem record. Source: ChEMBL CHEMBL441738 (EMBL-EBI, CC BY-SA 3.0) · retrieved 2026-10-07

Registered clinical trials

Studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov that list Melanotan-1 as an intervention. Studies that only measure the molecule as a biomarker, or use it only as a comparator or background arm for another drug, are excluded. A registration describes a planned or completed protocol; it does not report a result. Active studies are listed first.

23 registered studies matched, 1 currently active or recruiting, 12 with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov.

By highest phase
Phase 3 · 6Phase 2 · 13Phase 1 · 3Not applicable · 1
By registry status
Completed · 18Unknown · 4Active Not Recruiting · 1
StudyPhase · statusConditionsSponsor · size
A Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of SCENESSE and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet (NB-UVB) Light Versus NB-UVB Light Alone in Patients With VitiligoNCT06109649 · start 2023-10-11 · primary completion 2025-12Phase 3Active Not RecruitingVitiligoClinuvel, Inc.200 participants
Pharmacokinetics of Afamelanotide in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria PatientsNCT06388642 · start 2024-03-07 · primary completion 2024-10-28Phase 1 / Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2026-07-27Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Europe Limited28 participants
Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Afamelanotide in Patients With Variegate Porphyria (VP)NCT05854784 · start 2023-03-28 · primary completion 2023-12-28Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2025-04-27Variegate PorphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited6 participants
A Study to Assess the Changes in Pigmentation and Safety of Afamelanotide in Patients With Vitiligo on the FaceNCT05210582 · start 2022-10-11 · primary completion 2023-04Phase 2UnknownVitiligoClinuvel, Inc.6 participants
A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Afamelanotide in Patients With Xeroderma Pigmentosum C and VNCT05370235 · start 2022-03-28 · primary completion 2024-06Phase 2UnknownXeroderma PigmentosumClinuvel Europe Limited6 participants
DNA Repair Capacity of Afamelanotide on Ultraviolet Radiation-induced DNA Damage in Healthy VolunteersNCT05368857 · start 2022-01-19 · primary completion 2023-02-01Phase 1CompletedAfamelanotide Evaluated as Skin DNA Repair Therapy in Healthy VolunteersClinuvel (UK) Ltd.10 participants
A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Afamelanotide in Patients With Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)NCT05159752 · start 2021-10-19 · primary completion 2024-03Phase 2UnknownXeroderma PigmentosumClinuvel Europe Limited6 participants
A Proof of Concept Study to Evaluate the Safety of Afamelanotide in Patients With Acute Arterial Ischaemic Stroke (AIS)NCT04962503 · start 2021-06-03 · primary completion 2022-02-04Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2023-04-11Arterial Ischemic StrokeClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited6 participants
Afamelanotide and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Phototherapy in the Treatment of Nonsegmental Vitiligo (NSV)NCT04525157 · start 2014-06-06 · primary completion 2016-02-02Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2021-05-21VitiligoClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited21 participants
Phase III Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaNCT01605136 · start 2012-05 · primary completion 2013-07Phase 3CompletedResults posted 2019-08-26Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited93 participants
Show 13 more registered studies
StudyPhase · statusConditionsSponsor · size
Afamelanotide and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Light in the Treatment of Nonsegmental VitiligoNCT01382589 · start 2011-09 · primary completion 2012-07Phase 2CompletedVitiligoClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited15 participants
A Safety Extension Study in Patients With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)NCT04578496 · start 2011-07-11 · primary completion 2014-02-27Phase 3CompletedResults posted 2020-11-02Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited16 participants
Afamelanotide and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Light in the Treatment of Nonsegmental Vitiligo (NSV)NCT01430195 · start 2011-06 · primary completion 2012-05Phase 1CompletedVitiligoClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited56 participants
Afamelanotide in Patients Suffering With Acne VulgarisNCT04943159 · start 2010-08-24 · primary completion 2011-03-08Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2021-10-26Acne VulgarisClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited3 participants
Afamelanotide in Patients Suffering From Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE)NCT04704713 · start 2010-05-05 · primary completion 2010-12-09Phase 3CompletedResults posted 2021-03-19Polymorphic Light EruptionClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited31 participants
Phase II Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)NCT01097044 · start 2010-04 · primary completion 2011-04Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2019-09-17Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited77 participants
Phase III Confirmatory Study in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)NCT00979745 · start 2009-09 · primary completion 2011-05Phase 3CompletedResults posted 2021-10-12Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited74 participants
Implant Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic StudyNCT03634137 · start 2009-09 · primary completion 2010-02Phase 1CompletedHealthyClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited24 participants
Phase II Solar Urticaria (SU) Pilot StudyNCT00859534 · start 2008-12 · primary completion 2009-06Phase 2CompletedSolar UrticariaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited5 participants
Afamelanotide as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients Undergoing Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Utilising Porfimer SodiumNCT04425746 · start 2008-08-05 · primary completion 2009-05-28Phase 2CompletedResults posted 2021-10-01Patients Undergoing Photodynamic Therapy Using Porfimer SodiumClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited16 participants
Phase II AK Study in Organ Transplant PatientsNCT00829192 · start 2007-11 · primary completion 2012-07Phase 2UnknownActinic Keratoses · Carcinoma, Squamous Cell · Organ Transplant RecipientsClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited200 participants
Phase III Trial of CUV1647 in Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE)NCT00472901 · start 2007-05 · primary completion 2009-12Not applicableCompletedPolymorphic Light Eruption (PLE)Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited18 participants
Multicentre Phase III Erythropoietic Protoporphyria StudyNCT04053270 · start 2007-05 · primary completion 2009-12-09Phase 3CompletedResults posted 2019-10-10Erythropoietic ProtoporphyriaClinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited100 participants

Registry check 2026-10-09 · Run this search on ClinicalTrials.gov

Human intervention studies

Selected studies in which participants received Melanotan-1, with their indexed or reviewed study type. Check the original article for the formulation, population and controls. Studies that only measured the molecule, or used it as a comparator, are listed separately below and are not counted as intervention studies.

  1. Human study · PubMed trial index Compound given to participants

    Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria.

    Langendonk JG, Balwani M, Anderson KE et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2015

    PMID 26132941 · DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1411481 · Registration NCT00979745, NCT01605136

  2. Human study · PubMed trial index Compound given to participants

    Afamelanotide and narrowband UV-B phototherapy for the treatment of vitiligo: a randomized multicenter trial.

    Lim HW, Grimes PE, Agbai O et al. · JAMA dermatology · 2015

    PMID 25230094 · DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.1875 · Registration NCT01430195

Preclinical research, reviews & other publications

Animal studies, laboratory experiments, reviews and other indexed papers answer different questions. A review is secondary evidence; a case report does not estimate how often an outcome occurs.

  1. Research publication · design requires review

    High-performance liquid chromatographic assay for Melanotan-1 ([Nle4-DPhe7]alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) in biological matrices.

    Surendran N, Ugwu SO, Sterling EJ et al. · Journal of chromatography. B, Biomedical applications · 1995

    PMID 8548013 · DOI: 10.1016/0378-4347(95)00177-8

Melanotan-1 supplier sources

Scientific sources describe molecules and experiments. The commercial links below identify recorded supplier packages. A publication or chemical database entry does not verify the seller, purity, sterility or contents of a lot. Some links are affiliate links; see our disclosure.

Melanotan-1 for sale: compare prices, sizes and forms from every tracked supplier →

SupplierRecorded packagesExample source listing
Blank PeptidesUSD10mg Vial1 recorded offers10mg Vial · $55.00Stale observation · Checked Sep 30, 2026Supplier listing, Melanotan-1 10mg Vial, Blank Peptides, opens in a new tab
American PeptidesUSD10mg Vial1 recorded offers10mg Vial · $55.00Checked Nov 6, 2026Supplier listing, Melanotan-1 10mg Vial, American Peptides, opens in a new tab
Amino ClubUSD10mg Vial1 recorded offers10mg Vial · $29.95Stale observation · Checked Oct 14, 2026Supplier listing, Melanotan-1 10mg Vial, Amino Club, opens in a new tab
Amino USAUSD10mg Vial1 recorded offers10mg Vial · $30.00Checked Nov 6, 2026Supplier listing, Melanotan-1 10mg Vial, Amino USA, opens in a new tab
Cenexa LabsUSD10mg Vial1 recorded offers10mg Vial · $44.99Checked Nov 6, 2026Supplier listing, Melanotan-1 10mg Vial, Cenexa Labs, opens in a new tab

Reference sources & further reading

The citations above link directly to publication records. Encyclopedia links are background reading and are not used to establish clinical effectiveness.

Search for additional research

These links run searches; their results have not been individually reviewed and can include unrelated compounds.

Research information is not a dosing guide or a recommendation for personal use. Study findings are specific to the formulation, population and methods tested. Read our source and correction policy.

Related research profiles