Also known as: Adipotide, CKGGRAKDC-GG-D(KLAKLAK)2, Prohibitin-targeting peptide
Half-life: ~hours
Last reviewed: · Published:
FTPP-Adipotide (often just "Adipotide") is a synthetic chimeric peptide that combines two functional elements: a "homing" sequence (CKGGRAKDC) that binds prohibitin on the endothelial cells of white adipose tissue vasculature, and a pro-apoptotic "D(KLAKLAK)2" sequence that triggers mitochondrial apoptosis once delivered into the cell. The combined molecule selectively kills the blood vessels supplying white fat tissue, causing rapid loss of fat mass through ablation of its vascular support — a mechanism completely different from caloric restriction, lipolysis-promoting peptides, or GLP-1 agonists.
In preclinical studies, particularly the influential 2011 Science Translational Medicine paper by Wadih Arap and colleagues at MD Anderson, Adipotide produced substantial weight loss in obese rhesus monkeys (10-11% body weight loss over 4 weeks) along with improvements in insulin sensitivity. The mechanism is specific enough that brown adipose tissue and other vascular beds were largely spared.
The trade-off is that this is a far more aggressive intervention than other weight-loss peptides. Renal toxicity was observed in the primate studies (the kidney has prominent prohibitin expression in its vasculature), and the destruction of fat-tissue vasculature is not a subtle effect. The compound has not advanced to substantial human clinical trials. It is sold by some research-chemical vendors for animal-model research and (rarely) for highly motivated self-experimentation. The risk profile is meaningfully higher than that of any other peptide on this site and self-experimentation is strongly discouraged.
FTPP-Adipotide was developed by the laboratories of Wadih Arap and Renata Pasqualini, who pioneered the technique of "in vivo phage display" to identify vasculature-specific homing peptides. The homing sequence CKGGRAKDC was identified through phage screens of adipose tissue vasculature. The complete chimeric Adipotide molecule was characterized through the 2000s and reached the rhesus monkey study in 2011. Despite the dramatic preclinical results, human clinical development has not advanced substantially, in part because of concerns about renal toxicity and in part because GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) have provided a much safer and more practical pharmacological route to substantial weight loss.
Adipotide is much more aggressive than any other weight-loss peptide and carries genuine safety concerns. The renal toxicity observed in the primate studies is the most significant signal — the kidney's vasculature has prohibitin expression similar to fat's, and the targeting is not as selective as the marketing implies. Acute inflammatory effects from vascular destruction in fat tissue can be uncomfortable. Self-experimentation with this peptide is not appropriate for non-research contexts.
Dose Range
0.43 mg/kg
Frequency
Daily SubQ × 28 days
Duration
Per published protocol
Dose Range
Not recommended
Frequency
—
Duration
—
Dosing information is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before using any peptide.
Typical Vial Size
5 mg
Water Type
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
Mixing Volume
1-2 mL
Half-Life
~hours
Molecular Weight
~2,800 Da
Store reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8°C. Use within 14-21 days. Subcutaneous administration in animal models.
FDA Status
Not FDA approved.
Legal Status
Unregulated research chemical. Prohibited by WADA.
USA
Not approvedResearch-only; clinical development not actively advancing
EU
Not approvedNot authorized as medicinal product
UK
Not approvedClassified as research chemical
Australia
Not approvedTGA has not evaluated
Canada
Not approvedNot authorized for human use
Kolonin MG, Saha PK, Chan L, Pasqualini R, Arap W
Nature Medicine (2004)
Foundational paper demonstrating the proof-of-concept that targeting adipose vasculature with a chimeric prohibitin-binding peptide could reverse obesity in mice, establishing the rationale for Adipotide development.
View Study →Barnhart KF, Christianson DR, Hanley PW, Driessen WH, Bernacky BJ, Baze WB, Wen S, Tian M, Ma J, Kolonin MG, Saha PK, Do KA, Hulvat JF, Gelovani JG, Chan L, Arap W, Pasqualini R
Science Translational Medicine (2011)
The pivotal rhesus monkey study showing Adipotide produced 10-11% body weight loss with improved insulin sensitivity, alongside the renal toxicity signal that has limited clinical translation.
View Study →Pasqualini R, Arap W
Methods (2017)
Methodological review of the in vivo phage display technique that enabled identification of the adipose-vasculature homing sequence used in Adipotide, providing context for the underlying technology.
View Study →GLP-1 receptor agonist revolutionizing the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist delivering unprecedented weight loss and metabolic benefits.
Fat-metabolizing fragment of human growth hormone without growth-promoting effects.
The unmodified C-terminal fragment of growth hormone — the original lipolytic peptide.
Track FTPP-Adipotide and more with PinnyPeptide.
Sign Up to Track FTPP-AdipotideFree forever · defaults pre-filled from this article