Analysis

The shortest biologically-active fragment of GHRH. Originally developed as Geref (Serono) for paediatric GH deficiency; FDA approval withdrawn 2008 for commercial reasons rather than safety. Currently dispensed via 503A compounding pharmacies for off-label adult anti-aging and metabolic indications without supportive Phase 3 trial evidence.

Sermorelin is the shortest biologically-active fragment of human GHRH, a 29-amino-acid peptide retaining full pituitary GH-stimulatory activity. It was originally marketed as Geref by Serono for paediatric growth hormone deficiency, on the strength of key trials including Thorner 1996 (JCEM). The Geref marketing approval was withdrawn in 2008 for commercial rather than safety reasons; the molecule itself remains pharmacologically defined and is now compounded by 503A pharmacies for off-label adult use, primarily in anti-aging clinics. Methodology v1.2 scores Sermorelin 6.0, slightly above CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin because the published paediatric Phase 3 dossier is real, even though it does not extend to the adult anti-aging context where the molecule is now marketed. The score is held below tesamorelin because tesamorelin retains a current FDA-approved indication and a controlled commercial supply chain. The legitimate concern with sermorelin is the compounding-pharmacy supply variability, USP-797-compliant facilities produce reliable material; less-controlled compounders do not, and the research-channel grey market for sermorelin is among the more counterfeit-prone categories. WADA prohibits sermorelin under Class S2.