GEL Labs Newsletter: Research Weekly

BPC-157 Use Is Surging. Has the Science Caught Up? | Research Weekly Vol. 13
There may be no better example of the gap between peptide popularity and peptide evidence than BPC-157. A new preprint posted September 7 analyzed clinical records from a U.S. healthcare network containing approximately 15.2 million patients.Researchers identified 1,039 patients with documented BPC-157 use. And the most striking finding? Newly documented BPC-157 users increased approximately 33-fold between 2020 and 2026. Read more...
Peptides for Veterans Act Enters Congress, What it Actually Proposes: Research Weekly Vol. 12
On September 1, 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced H.R. 10212 — the PEPTIDES for Veterans Act, legislation that would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to formally review and study peptide-based therapies for veterans receiving care through the VA. Read more...
MOTS-C, Mitochondrial Immunity & the Next Frontiers in Peptide Science: Research Weekly Vol. 11
Researchers reported evidence supporting MOTS-C as a mitochondrial-encoded host-defense peptide, with antibacterial and immune-related activity across several experimental systems. The Version of Record was published in August 2026. Read more...
Scientists Found Peptides Hidden in Ancient Human DNA: Research Weekly Vol. 10
Researchers recently searched 2,025 ancient human mitochondrial genomes using computational tools and deep learning. What they found was remarkable. Read more...
Discover Mitochondrial Peptides. Research Weekly
Some research compounds become interesting because of how much scientists already know about them. Others become interesting because of how many questions remain unanswered.   First, we’re comparing MOTS-C and SS-31—two peptides closely associated with mitochondrial research, but with very different origins, mechanisms, and levels of scientific development.   Then we’re taking a closer look at BPC-157, separating what researchers have actually observed from what remains uncertain. Read more...
Research Weekly Aug 6, 2026: The Most Studied Research Peptides of the Last Decade, Spotlight: Tesamorelin
This week, we're taking a closer look at the research compounds that have attracted the most scientific attention over the past decade, featuring Tesamorelin in this week's Research Spotlight. Read more...
Research Weekly Jul 30, 2026: Six Peptides Advanced. One Did Not. What Comes Next?
Last week’s FDA advisory meeting produced one of the most closely watched peptide-compounding discussions in recent memory.  This week, we’re breaking down the final results, why DSIP was treated differently, what happens next, and which peptides are already scheduled for the next FDA review. Read more...
Research Weekly Jul 24, 2026: FDA Panel Backs Four Peptide Groups - Spotlight On: AOD-9604
The first day of the FDA’s closely watched peptide meeting has concluded—and the results went against the recommendations made by FDA staff. Plus Spotlight On: AOD-9604 Read more...
Research Weekly Jul 17, 2026: One Week Until FDA’s Peptide Meeting & Artificial Intelligence Inbox
This week, the FDA peptide story moves closer to the committee room. Plus, the growing use of artificial intelligence and automated screening to design more complex cyclic peptides. Read more...
Research Weekly July 10, 2026: What the FDA’s peptide documents actually say...
Last week, we covered the FDA briefing documents released ahead of the July 23–24 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting. Since then, we’ve spent more time going through the materials. Read more...
Research Weekly Jul 3, 2026: FDA Peptide Briefing Docs + New Peptide-Chemistry Research
This week, we’re looking at two developments that say a lot about where the peptide space is heading: FDA’s latest briefing materials ahead of the July advisory committee meeting, and new research on peptide synthesis methods that could shape how more complex peptide structures are made and studied. Read more...
Research Weekly June 24, 2026: FDA peptide review + MOTS-C trial watch
A closer look at upcoming peptide regulation and why MOTS-C remains one of the more closely watched mitochondrial-derived peptides. Read more...