MHRA status of research peptides in the UK (2026): what's licensed, what isn't

A recurring UK question: which peptides are actually licensed? As of 2026, the MHRA holds active marketing authorisations for semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) and a small handful of other GLP-1 / dual-agonist medicines.

Retatrutide, cagrilintide, BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, ipamorelin, CJC-1295, MT-2, PT-141, DSIP, epithalon, NAD+, AOD-9604, MOTS-c, tesamorelin (in the UK), KPV, selank, semax, SS-31 and most other compounds sold for laboratory research in the UK do not have MHRA marketing authorisations and are not approved for human medicinal use.

The practical rule: any peptide supplied "for research use only" is not licensed as a medicine. See the GLP-1 brand names guide for the licensed compounds and the peptide directory for research-only profiles.

Athletes should also note that many of these compounds fall under WADA's S0 (non-approved substances) category and are prohibited at all times in-competition and out-of-competition.