What are peptides and how are they used in medicine?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signalling molecules in the body. Some peptides are approved medicines in Europe, while others are marketed without regulatory authorisation. In this episode, we explain what peptides are, how they work, and how safety is assessed.

In this episode, we cover:

• What peptides are (biologically active protein fragments made of amino acids)

• How peptides differ from full proteins

• Examples of approved peptide medicines (insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists)

• How peptides interact with receptors and influence hormones

• Common claims in “anti-ageing” and performance markets

• Risks of unregulated peptide products

• EU prescription and regulatory requirements

• Situatio ...