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Melanotan I / MT-1 Research Peptides

Compare Melanotan I (MT-1) research products by labelled quantity, price per mg, testing evidence and product transparency. See what’s available from suppliers and use our comparison tools to make more informed decisions.

Research-use products only. Not presented as supplements, medicines, or products for human or veterinary consumption.
3products compared
1labelled quantities
£1.50 – £2.80per mg
1with verified testing evidence

Top Picks

Best Overall

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)Ascend Peptides UK

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Ascend Peptides UK
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£14.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:39:13
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)

Ascend Peptides UK
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Best Tested

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)Ascend Peptides UK

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Ascend Peptides UK
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£14.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:39:13
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)

Ascend Peptides UK
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Lowest Price per mg

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)Ascend Peptides UK

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Ascend Peptides UK
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£14.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:39:13
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)

Ascend Peptides UK
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now

Compare research products

Vial size
Research peptide product comparison
#ProductQuantityPrice / vialPrice / mgTestingScore
1MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)Ascend Peptides UK10 mg / vial£14.99per vial£1.50per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
2Melanotan 1 10mgReta Research10 mg / vial£20.00per vial£2.00per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
"Lyophilised powder, 10mg vial, ≥99% purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request."; "✓ 99%+ Purity Guaranteed"; "Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested"; "independent third-party HPLC and mass-spectrometry testing"
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
18/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
3Melanotan 1 (MT-1) — 10 mgOwsa Labs10 mg / vial£27.99per vial£2.80per mgTesting evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Purity ≥98%; 'Certificate of Analysis' / 'Third-party tested'; 'No independent COA has been published for this lot yet.'
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
10/45
Value
13/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
3/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.		Buy Now
#1

MT-1 10mg (Afamelanotide)Ascend Peptides UK

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
39/45
Value
22/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£1.50per mg
£14.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Ascend Peptides UK
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£14.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:39:13
Evidence status
Verified independent evidence
Manufacturer statement
"≥98% purity. Janoshik tested." and "Premium research peptides independently verified through Janoshik third-party laboratory testing, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs), high-purity verification"
Laboratory
Janoshik
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
20260114
Batch-specific report
Recorded
Report date
2026-04-07
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
#2

Melanotan 1 10mgReta Research

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
12/45
Value
18/25
Product identity
12/15
Supplier transparency
10/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
"Lyophilised powder, 10mg vial, ≥99% purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request."; "✓ 99%+ Purity Guaranteed"; "Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested"; "independent third-party HPLC and mass-spectrometry testing"
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£2.00per mg
£20.00per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Reta Research
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£20.00
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:04:33
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
"Lyophilised powder, 10mg vial, ≥99% purity by HPLC, Certificate of Analysis on request."; "✓ 99%+ Purity Guaranteed"; "Research-grade peptides, independently HPLC-tested"; "independent third-party HPLC and mass-spectrometry testing"
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
#3

Melanotan 1 (MT-1) — 10 mgOwsa Labs

Why this score?
Testing & analytical evidence
10/45
Value
13/25
Product identity
11/15
Supplier transparency
3/10
Label & listing transparency
5/5
Displayed points and weights are rounded; the total uses unrounded weights. Pending dimensions are excluded. Provisional scores may change after review.
Quantity
10 mg / vial
Testing evidence
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Purity ≥98%; 'Certificate of Analysis' / 'Third-party tested'; 'No independent COA has been published for this lot yet.'
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22
£2.80per mg
£27.99per pack
View AnalysisBuy Now
Product & testing details
Supplier
Owsa Labs
Vials per pack
1
Price per vial
£27.99
Listing last checked
2026-09-22 11:04:33
Evidence status
Testing claimed
Manufacturer statement
Purity ≥98%; 'Certificate of Analysis' / 'Third-party tested'; 'No independent COA has been published for this lot yet.'
Laboratory
Not recorded
Certification body
Not recorded
Batch
Not recorded
Batch-specific report
Not established in this record
Report date
Not recorded
Evidence checked
2026-09-22

What is Melanotan I?

Melanotan I is the historical research name for afamelanotide, also called MT-1, NDP-MSH and [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH. PubChem records afamelanotide as a synthetic 13-amino-acid peptide analogue of endogenous α-MSH. The substitutions at positions 4 and 7 increase biological stability and melanocortin activity compared with the endogenous hormone. The medicinal-development name CUV1647 and the active ingredient of Scenesse refer to this same active molecule. [S1] [S2] [S10] [S11]

Same active molecule does not mean same product. A research vial, historical aqueous preparation and controlled-release Scenesse implant differ in formulation, manufacturing control, exposure profile and regulatory status.

Melanotan I, afamelanotide and Scenesse: same active peptide, different contexts

The naming problem is mainly one of context rather than three different molecules. Melanotan I / MT-1 is the historical research name; afamelanotide is the established nonproprietary drug name; Scenesse is a specific prolonged-release implant containing afamelanotide. A supplier may also label material as 'MT-1 acetate', which introduces a salt/form presentation that should be documented separately. None of those labels alone proves that an independently sold vial matches the authorised medicinal product. [S1] [S10] [S11] [S20]

Name / productWhat it meansEvidence rule
Melanotan I / MT-1Historical research name for [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH / afamelanotide.Can map to afamelanotide evidence only when the studied active identity is explicit. [S1] [S2]
AfamelanotideInternational nonproprietary name for the same 13-residue active peptide.Formulation and route still need to match the study. [S1]
ScenesseSpecific 16 mg prolonged-release subcutaneous implant containing afamelanotide.Scenesse trial/safety data belong to that medicinal formulation. [S10] [S11]
Supplier MT-1 vialCommercial research product claiming the same active peptide, often lyophilised.Identity, purity, amount and formulation require product-level evidence. [S20]
Melanotan II / MT-IIDifferent cyclic heptapeptide.Do not transfer MT-II efficacy, adverse effects or PK to MT-1. [S3] [S18]

For the page title and hero, 'Melanotan I / MT-1' is useful for search intent, while the copy should explain early that the verified active molecule is afamelanotide.

Early human research demonstrated pigmentation, not broad photoprotection

Early studies used verified Melanotan I in healthy volunteers. A pharmacokinetic crossover study in three men found measurable exposure after intravenous and subcutaneous administration but not after oral administration, alongside increased tanning. A later seven-person study reported increased tanning at several sites and higher eumelanin measurements. Open-label phase-1 studies also examined Melanotan I alongside limited UV-B or sunlight exposure. These experiments show melanogenic activity in humans, but they do not demonstrate protection from skin cancer, elimination of photodamage or safe unrestricted cosmetic use. [S4] [S5] [S6]

Pigmentation

Objective reflectance and biochemical eumelanin measurements increased in small healthy-volunteer studies. [S4] [S5]

Human mechanistic/physiological evidence

UV/light exposure studies

Small open-label phase-1 work combined MT-1 with controlled UV-B or sunlight exposure. [S6]

Early human safety research

What was not established

These studies do not establish prevention of melanoma, prevention of cumulative UV damage, or replacement of normal sun-protection measures. [S5] [S6]

Do not extrapolate
StudyPopulation / outcomeMain limitation
1997 PK study3 healthy male volunteers; plasma PK and reflectance tanning measures.Very small sample; soluble experimental preparations and routes. [S4]
2000 eumelanin study7 healthy volunteers; reflectance plus skin eumelanin/pheomelanin measures.Small uncontrolled physiology study; not a disease or cancer-prevention trial. [S5]
2004 UV/light studiesPhase-1 open-label studies combining MT-1 with controlled UV-B or sunlight exposure.Open-label; designed around early safety/tanning rather than long-term photoprotection. [S6]

Pigmentation is a biological endpoint. It should not be converted into a claim that a tan itself makes UV exposure safe.

The strongest evidence is for afamelanotide implants in EPP

Clinical development shifted from experimental soluble Melanotan I to controlled-release afamelanotide implants. In the pivotal EPP programme, two multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials enrolled 74 European and 94 US patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria. The afamelanotide groups had longer pain-free sunlight exposure; the European trial also recorded fewer phototoxic reactions, and quality-of-life measures improved in both trials. This evidence supports the EPP indication for the medicinal implant and should not be presented as a cosmetic-tanning trial. [S7] [S10]

Pain-free light exposure

Pivotal placebo-controlled trials reported longer pain-free sunlight exposure with afamelanotide implants. [S7]

Randomized human evidence

Quality of life

Disease-specific quality-of-life measures improved in the pivotal EPP programme and later clinical-practice cohorts. [S7] [S8]

Clinical outcome

Who was studied

Patients had diagnosed erythropoietic protoporphyria, a severe phototoxic disorder. [S7] [S11]

Condition-specific
EvidencePopulation / designWhat it supports
NCT01605136US phase-3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled; 93 actual registry enrolment.Afamelanotide implant efficacy/safety in EPP. [S7] [S15]
NCT00979745European phase-3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled; 74 participants.Afamelanotide implant efficacy/safety in EPP. [S7] [S16]
Post-authorisation cohort117 EPP patients in regular clinical practice with median 2-year follow-up.Real-world EPP effectiveness and safety context. [S8]
Vitiligo trialAfamelanotide implant added to NB-UV-B in adults with nonsegmental vitiligo.Condition-specific repigmentation research, not cosmetic tanning evidence. [S9]

Authorised or studied clinical indications must not be rewritten as evidence for routine cosmetic tanning in otherwise healthy users.

Melanotan I and Melanotan II are different peptides

Melanotan II is not another name for afamelanotide. MT-II is a shorter cyclic heptapeptide with a lactam bridge, whereas afamelanotide/MT-1 is a linear 13-residue α-MSH analogue. The early MT-II human study reported nausea, fatigue/somnolence and spontaneous erections in a three-man pilot study; those observations belong to MT-II and should not be copied onto MT-1. Conversely, afamelanotide implant safety data should not be used to declare MT-II safe. [S1] [S3] [S18]

FeatureMelanotan I / afamelanotideMelanotan II
StructureLinear 13-residue α-MSH analogue.Cyclic heptapeptide analogue. [S1]
Verified synonym relationshipMT-1 and afamelanotide refer to the same active peptide.MT-II is a separate compound. [S1] [S3]
Clinical medicineAfamelanotide is the active ingredient in Scenesse.Not Scenesse. [S10] [S11]
Early human adverse effectsHistorical MT-1 studies reported mainly transient GI upset/flushing; implant data have their own profile.Pilot MT-II study reported nausea, fatigue/somnolence and spontaneous erections. [S4] [S18]

Any source that simply says 'melanotan' without resolving which compound was used should be treated as identity-uncertain.

Pharmacokinetics depend strongly on formulation

The 1997 soluble Melanotan I study provides direct human pharmacokinetic measurements for experimental intravenous, oral and subcutaneous preparations: in three male volunteers, subcutaneous terminal half-life values were reported at roughly 0.8–1.7 hours, and oral administration produced no detectable plasma drug. Scenesse is different: its biodegradable implant controls release over several days. EMA product information reports an afamelanotide half-life of about 30 minutes once in systemic circulation, while most implant drug is released within the first 48 hours and more than 90% by day 5. Controlled release must not be described as the active peptide itself having a multi-day half-life. [S4] [S10] [S12] [S19]

Soluble MT-1

Historical human PK after subcutaneous dosing reported a terminal phase of roughly 0.8–1.7 hours in three volunteers. [S4]

Small direct human PK study

Scenesse implant

The medicinal implant controls release over days; that prolonged delivery is a formulation property. [S10] [S12]

Controlled-release formulation

Systemic half-life

EMA product information gives an approximate 30-minute half-life for afamelanotide once released into systemic circulation. [S10]

Medicinal-product context

Do not apply implant release duration, aqueous MT-1 PK or any supplier's claimed half-life interchangeably. They describe different formulations and measurements.

Safety evidence depends on product identity and formulation

Controlled afamelanotide research provides substantially better safety characterisation than unregulated melanotan products, but it remains formulation-specific. Early soluble MT-1 studies reported effects such as transient gastrointestinal upset and flushing. Scenesse product information lists medicinal-product adverse reactions and requires skin monitoring because afamelanotide increases eumelanin and pigmentation; freckles and melanocytic naevi were observed in implant studies. Reports of atypical or changing naevi after internet-sourced 'melanotan' exposure are clinically relevant signals, but some reports do not verify whether the product was MT-1, MT-II or even analytically authentic. They cannot establish causation or an incidence rate for afamelanotide. [S4] [S10] [S12] [S17]

Controlled MT-1 research

Small early studies reported transient gastrointestinal upset and facial flushing. [S4] [S6]

Direct historical human finding

Scenesse implant

Official product information includes pigmentation-related monitoring and formulation-specific adverse-event data. [S10] [S12]

Authorised-product evidence

Unregulated melanotan reports

Case reports can flag possible safety issues but often have uncertain compound identity, dose, purity and co-exposures. [S17]

Attribution uncertain

Neither a case report nor a high-purity supplier claim establishes causation, safety or equivalence to an authorised implant.

Authorisation belongs to a specific afamelanotide medicine, not to research vials

Scenesse is the named medicinal product containing afamelanotide as a prolonged-release subcutaneous implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria. EMA confirms EU authorisation since December 2014 and the current EMA product information specifies the EPP indication and implant formulation. MHRA's current paediatric-investigation-plan database independently identifies AFAMELANOTIDE, the invented name SCENESSE, subcutaneous prolonged-release implant use and EPP in the UK regulatory system. A direct current MHRA product-record/SmPC page for Scenesse was not retrieved in the accessible product search used for this review, so this review does not make a broader claim about current UK marketing-authorisation mechanics beyond those verified records. [S10] [S11] [S13] [S14]

Scenesse

Afamelanotide prolonged-release implant for EPP; medicine-specific evidence and regulatory documentation exist. [S10] [S11] [S13]

Specific medicinal formulation

Supplier MT-1 vial

An independently sold research vial is not Scenesse and does not inherit its manufacturing controls, implant PK, indication or approval. [S10] [S20]

Not equivalent

Cosmetic tanning

The authorised EPP indication should not be reframed as regulatory approval for cosmetic tanning. [S11] [S13]

Different use

A paediatric investigation plan is not, by itself, confirmation of current marketing authorisation. Regulatory status and availability must be checked for the specific medicinal product.

How to interpret Melanotan I research-product listings

A product labelled MT-1 should be compared against the verified afamelanotide identity, but the name alone is not enough. Useful documentation should identify the peptide sequence/form, molecular identity, labelled amount, batch, analytical method and actual result. 'MT-1 acetate' should be stored as a form/salt claim rather than silently merged with every afamelanotide product. A purity percentage does not establish correct stereochemistry, amount per vial, biological activity, sterility, endotoxin status or equivalence to the Scenesse implant. [S1] [S10] [S20]

Exact identity

Check that the product is afamelanotide / [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH rather than MT-II or an unspecified melanotan. [S1] [S3]

Identity first

Formulation

Record lyophilised research material, acetate/salt claim or medicinal implant separately. [S10] [S20]

Form matters

Purity versus identity

HPLC purity and identity confirmation answer different questions and neither alone establishes human-use suitability. [S20]

Do not collapse

Medicinal equivalence

Research-vial testing cannot by itself establish equivalence to Scenesse's controlled-release implant. [S10] [S12] [S20]

Separate products
Listing fieldWhat should be verifiedWhat must not be inferred
Compound nameAfamelanotide / MT-1 versus MT-II or unresolved melanotan.That all 'melanotan' labels describe the same molecule. [S1] [S3]
Sequence / modifications13-residue [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH identity where analytically supported.Correct stereochemistry from product name alone. [S1]
Form / saltFree active, acetate claim, lyophilised material or medicinal implant.Equivalent exposure across formulations. [S10] [S20]
Labelled quantityAmount per vial or per implant as actually stated.Concentration, purity or delivered systemic exposure. [S10] [S20]
COA / analytical reportBatch match, lab, method, identity and purity results.Medicine approval, clinical safety or equivalence to Scenesse. [S10] [S20]

Evidence for the afamelanotide active molecule must be interpreted in the context of its formulation. Findings for the Scenesse implant do not automatically establish equivalent outcomes for research vials.

Frequently asked questions

Is Melanotan I the same as afamelanotide?

Yes. Melanotan I / MT-1 is an established historical name for the active peptide now known as afamelanotide, also called [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH or NDP-MSH. [S1] [S2]

Is Melanotan I the same as Scenesse?

The active molecule is the same, but Scenesse is a specific 16 mg prolonged-release medicinal implant containing afamelanotide. A research-use MT-1 vial is a different product and should not be assumed equivalent in quality, delivery or exposure. [S10] [S11] [S20]

Is Melanotan I the same as Melanotan II?

No. MT-1/afamelanotide is a linear 13-residue α-MSH analogue. MT-II is a different cyclic heptapeptide. [S1] [S3]

Has Melanotan I been studied in healthy people?

Yes. Small early studies in healthy volunteers measured pharmacokinetics, skin reflectance and eumelanin changes. These studies showed melanogenic activity but were not evidence for unrestricted cosmetic use. [S4] [S5] [S6]

Does Melanotan I increase pigmentation?

Verified human studies found increased pigmentation and eumelanin after Melanotan I exposure. That establishes a pigmentation effect under study conditions, not protection from all UV damage or skin cancer. [S4] [S5]

Does Melanotan I protect against skin cancer?

That has not been established. Increased eumelanin and pigmentation are biological effects, but the human studies cited here do not demonstrate prevention of melanoma or other skin cancers. [S5] [S6]

What is Scenesse approved for?

EMA product information identifies Scenesse as an afamelanotide implant for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a disorder causing painful light intolerance. That indication is not cosmetic tanning. [S10] [S11]

What did the EPP trials show?

Two placebo-controlled phase-3 trials found longer pain-free sunlight exposure with afamelanotide implants, with improved quality-of-life measures; the European trial also recorded fewer phototoxic reactions. [S7] [S15] [S16]

What is the half-life of Melanotan I?

It depends on what is being measured and which formulation is used. A three-person study of soluble subcutaneous Melanotan I reported a terminal plasma phase of about 0.8–1.7 hours. EMA product information for Scenesse reports an approximate 30-minute systemic half-life while the implant itself releases drug over several days. [S4] [S10] [S12]

Are Scenesse implant pharmacokinetics the same as a research vial?

No. Scenesse uses a biodegradable controlled-release implant. A lyophilised or aqueous research preparation has a different formulation and should not inherit the implant's release profile. [S4] [S10] [S12] [S20]

Can reports about changing moles after 'melanotan' be attributed to MT-1?

Not automatically. Some case reports use the generic word 'melanotan' without analytically confirming MT-1 versus MT-II or the actual product contents. They are relevant safety signals but do not establish causation for verified afamelanotide. [S17]

Is Melanotan I authorised for cosmetic tanning in the UK?

The verified medicinal indication identified for Scenesse is erythropoietic protoporphyria, not cosmetic tanning. A research-use MT-1 vial does not inherit medicinal-product authorisation. The current MHRA product record should be rechecked immediately before publication because a direct Scenesse product page was not retrieved in this research session. [S10] [S11] [S13] [S14]

Does a research-use label or high purity prove an MT-1 vial is equivalent to Scenesse?

No. Scenesse is a controlled-release medicinal implant with defined manufacturing and regulatory controls. Purity, identity, formulation, sterility, dose delivery and clinical suitability are separate questions. [S10] [S12] [S20]

Sources & methodology

We separate animal models, observational human studies and ongoing trials. Scientific evidence is assessed independently of future supplier documentation. How we verify testing →

Page updated: Sources checked: 22 September 2026

Testing evidence in this comparison

  • Verified independent evidence: 1
  • Testing claimed: 2

What does Melanotan I / MT-1 cost?

Lowest: £1.50 / mg · Median: £2.00 / mg · Highest: £2.80 / mg