Modern Publications on the Analysis of Illegal Peptide Biopharmaceuticals (Peptidegate)
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Analysis of illegal peptide biopharmaceuticals frequently encountered by controlling agencies___Celine Vanhee et al. archive
The most often detected illegal peptides were potential dopingagents, including the growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC1295, sermorelin, Ipamorelin), AOD9604 and thewound healing peptide Thymosinβ4. Furthermore also the skintanning agent Melanotan II and the potential geroprotective andanti-cancer peptide Epitalon were detected. Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, recombinant expres-sion technologies and peptide synthesis have led to an increaseddevelopment of protein and peptide therapeutics. Unfortunately the uprising of these kinds of active pharmaceuticalingredients also goes hand in hand with an increase in the numberof incidents with SFFC pharmaceuticals, including stolen and substandard proteins and peptides.
The most often detected illegal peptides were potential dopingagents, including the growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC1295, sermorelin, Ipamorelin), AOD9604 and thewound healing peptide Thymosinβ4. Furthermore also the skintanning agent Melanotan II and the potential geroprotective andanti-cancer peptide Epitalon were detected.
Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, recombinant expres-sion technologies and peptide synthesis have led to an increaseddevelopment of protein and peptide therapeutics. Unfortunately the uprising of these kinds of active pharmaceuticalingredients also goes hand in hand with an increase in the numberof incidents with SFFC pharmaceuticals, including stolen and substandard proteins and peptides.
Operation resistance: A snapshot of falsified antibiotics and biopharmaceutical injectables in Europe Authors Bastiaan J. Venhuis archive
Falsified biopharmaceutical injectables are frequently seized as unlabelled glass vials for injection with coloured caps shipped in small, unmarked boxes (Figure 1). Characteristically, these vials contain a white to yellowish lyophilized sugar with a peptide or a protein. Most peptides appear to be doping agents but some are used for skin tanning or libido enhancement. Users dissolve and inject the vial contents without proper instructions and without knowing what they are injecting. Three countries reported biopharmaceutical injectables. Laboratory assessments were reported for 4 of the 5 included shipments. In each case, one or two vials had been analyzed. The analyzed vials contained human growth hormone (HGH), sermorelin, and melanotan II. One lot did not contain any active ingredient. All included shipments came without any labelling or documentation. Since sterility tests were not conducted by the seizing laboratories, the microbiological quality of these products is unknown. HGH and sermorelin – a growth hormone releasing hormone analogue – are both used as doping agents. Melanotan II is known to stimulate the melanocytes and is used for sun-free skin tanning. Medical literature and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) report several serious cases of health damage caused by melanotan II in the UK.
Falsified biopharmaceutical injectables are frequently seized as unlabelled glass vials for injection with coloured caps shipped in small, unmarked boxes (Figure 1). Characteristically, these vials contain a white to yellowish lyophilized sugar with a peptide or a protein. Most peptides appear to be doping agents but some are used for skin tanning or libido enhancement. Users dissolve and inject the vial contents without proper instructions and without knowing what they are injecting.
Three countries reported biopharmaceutical injectables. Laboratory assessments were reported for 4 of the 5 included shipments. In each case, one or two vials had been analyzed. The analyzed vials contained human growth hormone (HGH), sermorelin, and melanotan II. One lot did not contain any active ingredient. All included shipments came without any labelling or documentation. Since sterility tests were not conducted by the seizing laboratories, the microbiological quality of these products is unknown. HGH and sermorelin – a growth hormone releasing hormone analogue – are both used as doping agents. Melanotan II is known to stimulate the melanocytes and is used for sun-free skin tanning. Medical literature and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) report several serious cases of health damage caused by melanotan II in the UK.
