Science & HistoryUpdated Apr 2026

The Complete History of Peptide Research: A 100-Year Scientific Timeline

Peptides aren't new. Peptide-based medicine has over 100 years of clinical history, with the first peptide drug, insulin, saving lives since 1923.¹³ Today 85 peptide and polypeptide drugs hold FDA approval,² and more than 150 are in clinical trials.³

100+

Years of research

FDA-approved drugs

150+

Drugs in clinical trials

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. By the common biochemical convention a peptide runs between 2 and 50 residues, the definition the FDA quoted from Creighton's Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology when it set out its own reading of the term.⁴ US regulators then drew the line lower for regulatory purposes: under 21 CFR 600.3(h)(6), any defined-sequence alpha amino acid polymer longer than 40 amino acids is a protein.⁵ Both numbers are real and they answer different questions, so a 45-residue chain is a peptide to a biochemist and a protein to the FDA.

Mass-spectrometry surveys have catalogued tens of thousands of distinct peptide species described in the literature,⁶ with more than 5,000 reported in human urine alone.⁷ Cataloguing is not the same as function. The same work reports only around 300 human peptides with confirmed bioactivity and treats the majority of the rest as inactive degradation products.⁶ The ones that do carry a signal fall into familiar jobs:

Hormones

Insulin, glucagon, oxytocin¹⁰²²

Neurotransmitters

Endorphins⁸

Signaling molecules

Growth factors and cytokines, most of them longer than the 2 to 50 convention

Antimicrobial agents

Defensins⁹

Key distinction: Peptide drugs are not the same as anabolic steroids, SARMs, or unregulated supplements. Many peptides are FDA-approved pharmaceuticals used in hospitals worldwide.¹⁵⁰

The Complete Peptide Research Timeline

1920s, The Insulin Revolution

1921

Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolate insulin from canine pancreatic extracts at the University of Toronto, the first peptide hormone ever isolated.¹¹

1922

Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old diabetic, becomes the first human to receive insulin injections. His blood sugar normalizes.¹¹¹² The era of peptide medicine begins.

1923

Eli Lilly begins commercial production of insulin.¹³ Banting and J.J.R. Macleod receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.¹⁰

Why this matters: Insulin is a 51-amino-acid peptide.¹⁴ It remains one of the most widely used medications on Earth: the World Health Organization estimates about 100 million people worldwide need it.¹⁵The "peptides are experimental" narrative ignores a century of insulin's proven safety.

1928 to 1956, Mapping the Peptide Landscape

1928

Oliver Kamm and colleagues separate the two active principles of the posterior pituitary lobe and coin the names oxytocin and vasopressin.¹⁸ The uterine-contracting action of pituitary extract had been described by Henry Dale in 1906¹⁶ and the milk-ejection action by Ott and Scott in 1910.¹⁷

1953

Vincent du Vigneaud determines the sequence of oxytocin and synthesizes it, establishing that the hormone is a nine-residue peptide and making it the first peptide hormone ever synthesized.²⁰¹⁹²¹ He receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1955.²²

1953

Frederick Sanger determines the complete amino acid sequence of insulin, proving that proteins have defined structures.²³ Another Nobel Prize followed in 1958.²⁴

1954

Synthetic oxytocin, sold as Syntocinon, enters clinical testing for labor induction.²⁵²⁶ Routine obstetric use follows by 1956,²⁷²⁸²⁹ and synthetic oxytocin is still given in hospitals today.

1960s to 1970s, The GLP-1 Story Begins

1964

Researchers observe that oral glucose produces a stronger insulin response than intravenous glucose. Something in the gut is amplifying insulin release, they call this the "incretin effect."³⁰

1970s

Scientists identify GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) as one incretin hormone.³¹

1979

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is identified when researchers sequence the proglucagon gene.

1987

GLP-1 is shown to potently stimulate insulin secretion, in perfused tissue by the Holst laboratory in Copenhagen³² and in humans by Kreymann and colleagues in London.³³ This is the foundational discovery behind Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Retatrutide.

1980s to 1990s, BPC-157 and the Healing Peptides

1980s

Croatian researchers at the University of Zagreb begin investigating Body Protection Compound (BPC), a sequence derived from human gastric juice.³⁵

1992

The earliest indexed BPC publication appears. It is a gastroprotection study from the Zagreb group, not a wound-healing one.³⁴

1993 to 99

Multiple studies show BPC-157 accelerates healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and the gastrointestinal tract in animal models.³⁶³⁷

Research status: BPC-157 has never completed human clinical trials for FDA approval.³⁸³⁷ However, it has over 100 published animal studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.³⁷

2000s, GLP-1 Drugs Enter the Market

2005

Exenatide (Byetta) becomes the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes.⁵⁰⁴⁰ Derived from Gila monster venom (exendin-4).³⁹

2010

Liraglutide (Victoza) receives FDA approval. A modified human GLP-1 analog requiring only once-daily injection.⁵⁰

2014

Liraglutide (Saxenda) becomes the first GLP-1 approved specifically for weight loss in non-diabetics.⁴⁹⁴¹

2017

Semaglutide (Ozempic) receives FDA approval for diabetes, requiring only once-weekly injection due to its long half-life.⁵⁰

2020s, The GLP-1 Revolution

2021

Semaglutide (Wegovy) receives FDA approval for chronic weight management.⁴⁹ The STEP 1 trial shows average weight loss of about 15% of body weight.⁴²

2022

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) receives FDA approval as the first dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist,⁴⁹⁵⁰ showing up to 22.5% weight loss in trials.

2023

Retatrutide Phase 2 trial results published. As a triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + Glucagon), it produces 24.2% average body weight loss at the highest dose.⁴⁴

2024

Retatrutide is in Phase 3 clinical trials. Multiple other triple agonists enter development.

85 FDA-Approved Peptide Drugs

The claim that peptides are "unproven" ignores the extensive regulatory history. THPdb2, a 2024 compilation of FDA-approved therapeutic peptides and proteins, records 85 approved peptides and polypeptides across multiple therapeutic categories.²

Category	Examples	Years in clinical use
Diabetes / Metabolism	Insulin, Exenatide, Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide	1923 to 2022¹³⁴⁹
Hormonal	Oxytocin, Vasopressin, Goserelin, Leuprolide	1954 to 1990s⁴⁹⁵⁰
Cardiovascular	Nesiritide, Eptifibatide	1998 to 2001⁴⁹
Oncology	Octreotide, Lanreotide, Degarelix	1988 to 2008⁴⁹⁵⁰
Immune / Inflammatory	Cyclosporine, Enfuvirtide	1983 to 2003⁴⁹
Bone / Metabolic	Teriparatide, Abaloparatide	2002 to 2017⁴⁹⁵⁰
GI / Other	Linaclotide, Plecanatide	2012 to 2017⁴⁹⁵⁰

How much human data sits behind these: four registration trials alone enrolled 24,439 participants between them. SELECT enrolled 17,604,⁴⁵ SURMOUNT-1 enrolled 2,539,⁴⁷ TRIUMPH-1 enrolled 2,335,⁴⁸ and STEP 1 enrolled 1,961.⁴⁶

Currently in clinical trials: Over 150 peptide drugs are in various phases of FDA trials, including multiple next-generation GLP-1 combinations.³

Research vs Approved: Understanding the Distinction

FDA-Approved Peptide Drugs

These have completed full human clinical trials and are prescribed by doctors.⁴⁹⁵⁰ They are manufactured under FDA current good manufacturing practice requirements and carry continuing regulatory oversight.⁶³

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)Tesamorelin (Egrifta)Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)

Research Peptides

Extensive animal data, limited human trials. Used in research and wellness communities:

BPC-157, 100+ animal studies³⁷TB-500, unapproved compounded use⁵⁶⁵⁷⁵⁸⁵⁹GHK-Cu, cosmetic/wound research⁵²Ipamorelin/CJC-1295, GH research⁵³⁵⁴

On TB-500 specifically: no approved human or veterinary product containing thymosin beta-4 exists. It does not appear in the European medicines register,⁵⁶ the only openFDA animal and veterinary record naming thymosin is an adverse event report rather than an approval,⁵⁷ and it is absent from the FDA Green Book of approved animal drugs.⁵⁸⁵⁹ Where it turns up in veterinary practice it is as an unapproved compounded drug, not an approved indication.

Investigational (Currently in Human Trials)

Retatrutide, Phase 3⁴⁸Survodutide, Phase 3Cagrilintide, Phase 3

Why Sourcing Is the Real Concern

The science behind most popular peptides is solid. The problem is execution. Peptides are widely sold online as research chemicals labelled not for human consumption, including on mainstream e-commerce platforms.⁶⁰ Where buyers actually go has not been surveyed in Vietnam; the closest data, a survey of 736 image- and performance-enhancing drug users, found 55.6% bought through pharmacies or shops and 41.3% online.⁶¹

In Vietnam the rule that actually bites is registration. Under the Law on Pharmacy, only drugs granted a marketing registration may be traded, and only licensed establishments may trade them.⁶² Research peptides hold no such registration, which is why sourcing, rather than legality, is where the real risk sits.

What the Research Proves

GLP-1 agonists produce significant, sustained weight loss⁴²⁴³
BPC-157 accelerates tissue healing in animal models³⁶³⁷
TB-500 promotes wound repair and angiogenesis⁵⁵
These mechanisms are well-understood

What the Research Cannot Guarantee

That the vial you receive contains what it claims
That the peptide was not degraded during shipping
That the concentration is accurate
That contaminants are absent

What to Look For in a Supplier

Third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Batch-matched testing from an independent lab

Cold-chain shipping

Peptides degrade rapidly at room temperature, especially critical in Vietnam's climate⁵¹

Transparent sourcing

Legitimate suppliers answer questions about their supply chain

Physician oversight

Not legally required everywhere, but strongly advisable for GLP-1 peptides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are peptides safe?

FDA-approved peptide drugs have extensive human safety data. Four registration trials alone enrolled 24,439 participants: SELECT (17,604), SURMOUNT-1 (2,539), TRIUMPH-1 (2,335) and STEP 1 (1,961). Research peptides such as BPC-157 and TB-500 have animal safety data but limited human clinical trials. Sourcing quality is the primary safety variable.

How long have peptides been studied?

Peptide research began in the 1920s with insulin. Oxytocin was named and separated in 1928 and shown to be a peptide in 1953. GLP-1 research runs from the 1960s incretin work to the 1980s. The earliest indexed BPC publication is 1992. That is 30 to 100 years of scientific investigation depending on the compound.

Why do people think peptides are new?

Social media discovered peptides around 2020 to 2023 when Ozempic became a cultural phenomenon and demand drove a shortage. The science is decades old; the mainstream awareness is recent.

Are peptides legal in Vietnam?

Vietnam regulates medicines by registration and licensing. Under the Law on Pharmacy, only drugs granted a marketing registration may be traded, and only licensed establishments may trade them. Research peptides hold no such registration, so they are not approved pharmaceuticals here. The statute does not address personal possession either way, which is what leaves the area gray. In practice peptides are widely sold online as research chemicals labelled not for human consumption, including on mainstream e-commerce.

What's the difference between pharmaceutical and research peptides?

Pharmaceutical peptides (Ozempic, Mounjaro) are manufactured under FDA current good manufacturing practice requirements, prescribed by doctors, and covered by regulatory oversight. Research peptides are sold for "research purposes," vary in quality, and require the buyer to verify sourcing.

Conclusion

Peptides are not new. They are not experimental in the way social media implies. Insulin has been saving lives for over 100 years.¹⁰¹³ GLP-1 science spans four decades. Even BPC-157 has 30+ years of published research.³⁴³⁷ Mainstream attention arrived only when semaglutide became a cultural phenomenon and demand drove a shortage.⁶⁴

The question has never been: "Do peptides work?"

The question is: "Who do you trust to source them?"

When evaluating peptide therapy, focus less on whether the science is "proven", it largely is, and more on whether your supplier provides verifiable quality assurance.

Sources

Entries marked ° are cited from the publisher, but our checker could not retrieve the page to confirm the wording.

Verified Sourcing

Ready to Source Quality Peptides?

The science is clear. What matters now is sourcing. Peptara Labs provides third-party COA-verified peptides with cold-chain delivery throughout Vietnam.⁶⁵

Visit Peptara Labs

Buying Guide

Buy Peptides in Vietnam: Complete 2026 Guide

Weight Loss

Retatrutide in Vietnam: Complete 2026 Guide

Comparison

Retatrutide vs Tirzepatide: Which is Better?

Side Effects

GLP-1 Side Effects: How to Manage Them

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any peptide protocol.