Scientifically reviewed by Dr Stephan Hansberg
BPC-157 vs KPV: structure, research and differences (2026)
BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid fragment of a gastric protein; KPV is a 3-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH. A side-by-side comparison of identity, research models and 2026 regulatory status, why they get grouped together, and which Celyfe pens contain each.
Key takeaways
- •BPC-157 is a synthetic pentadecapeptide (15 amino acids, 1419.5 g/mol) derived from a protein in gastric juice; KPV is the tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val (342.4 g/mol), the C-terminal 11-13 fragment of alpha-MSH.
- •They are unrelated in origin and structure. KPV is taken up by the PepT1 transporter in intestinal cell models; BPC-157 is studied mainly in rodent models across many tissues.
- •Both were reviewed by the FDA in July 2026. FDA staff proposed not adding either to the 503A bulks list; the advisory committee recommended both, 8-6 with one abstention. Rulemaking was pending in October 2026.
- •BPC-157 is named in WADA's S0 class and in Australia's Schedule 4; KPV is named in neither.
- •WOLVERINE contains BPC-157 but not KPV. KLOW is the only Celyfe pen with both.
The short answer
BPC-157 and KPV are different peptides with no structural relationship. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid synthetic fragment of a protein found in gastric juice, while KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment (Lys-Pro-Val) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a melanocortin hormone.
They are grouped together mainly because both appear in gut-inflammation research in rodent models and both sit in the same multi-peptide blends. In the 2026 regulatory picture they also travelled together: the FDA reviewed both at the same advisory committee session.
Side by side
Identifiers checked against PubChem and the FDA's July 2026 briefing documents.
| Property | BPC-157 | KPV |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Partial sequence of body protection compound, a protein in human gastric juice | C-terminal tripeptide (residues 11-13) of alpha-MSH |
| Length | 15 amino acids | 3 amino acids |
| Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val | Lys-Pro-Val |
| Molecular formula | C62H98N16O22 | C16H30N4O4 |
| Molar mass | 1419.5 g/mol (free base) | 342.4 g/mol (free base); 402.5 g/mol listed by FDA for the acetate |
| CAS number | 137525-51-0 (free base) | 67727-97-3 |
| PubChem CID | 9941957 | 125672 |
| FDA UNII | 8ED8NXK95P (free base) | Not available (FDA briefing) |
| Main research models | Rodent models (gastrointestinal, tendon, muscle, vascular) | Intestinal cell lines, mouse colitis models, human keratinocyte cells |
| FDA July 2026 | Evaluated for ulcerative colitis; staff proposed not adding; PCAC recommended 8-6-1 | Evaluated for wound healing and inflammatory conditions; staff proposed not adding; PCAC recommended 8-6-1 |
| AU TGA | Schedule 4, named (BPC157) | Not named |
| WADA 2026 | Named in S0 (non-approved substances) | Not named; S0 may apply |
Research by model
Representative studies for each, with model stated. None of these establish effects in people.
| Peptide | Research area | Model | Example study (year, PMID) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Vascular recruitment and gastrointestinal models | Review of animal studies | Sikiric et al., Curr Pharm Des (2018), PMID 29879879 |
| BPC-157 | Angiogenic growth factors; tendon, ligament, muscle and bone models | Review of animal studies | Seiwerth et al., Curr Pharm Des (2018), PMID 29998800 |
| BPC-157 | Literature and patent review | Review | Jozwiak et al., Pharmaceuticals (2025), PMID 40005999 |
| KPV | Alpha-MSH, KPV and ACTH signalling | Human keratinocyte cells | Elliott et al., J Invest Dermatol (2004), PMID 15102092 |
| KPV | PepT1-mediated uptake and intestinal inflammation | Cell and animal (mouse colitis) | Dalmasso et al., Gastroenterology (2008), PMID 18061177 |
| KPV | Murine models of inflammatory bowel disease | Animal (mouse) | Kannengiesser et al., Inflamm Bowel Dis (2008), PMID 18092346 |
The key differences
Origin. BPC-157 comes from a gastric protein and was first described in the literature in 1993 by Sikiric's group in Zagreb. KPV is the last three residues of alpha-MSH, a hormone of the melanocortin system, and is studied as a minimal fragment that keeps some of alpha-MSH's anti-inflammatory signalling in cell models.
Size and handling. At three residues, KPV is small enough to be carried by the intestinal peptide transporter PepT1, which Dalmasso and colleagues showed in cell and mouse models. BPC-157 is five times longer and was characterised by its developers as unusually stable in gastric juice, a property that drove interest in its different salt forms.
Regulation. BPC-157 is named by both WADA (S0) and Australia (Schedule 4); KPV is named by neither. The FDA evaluated them for different proposed uses: BPC-157 only for ulcerative colitis, KPV for wound healing and inflammatory conditions.
Why they are commonly confused
Both are short peptides discussed in the context of gut inflammation research in rodents, both were nominated for compounding by the same pharmacy network, and both were voted on in the same morning session of the FDA's July 2026 advisory meeting with the same 8-6 result. They also appear together in multi-peptide formulations, which makes it easy to assume they are related or interchangeable. They are not.
Which Celyfe pens contain which
BPC-157 is in three Celyfe pens; KPV is only in KLOW. Every pen is a pre-filled, pre-mixed 3ml cartridge shipped cold-chain and kept refrigerated at 2 to 8 C.
| Pen | BPC-157 | KPV | Full composition | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOLVERINE (/products/wolverine-pen) | 15mg | No | BPC-157 15mg + TB-500 15mg | Batch C26071, Analiza Bialek, HPLC, 99%, 2 Oct 2026, in /coa |
| GLOW (/products/glow-pen) | 15mg | No | GHK-Cu 75mg + BPC-157 15mg + TB-500 15mg | Being re-issued; listed in /coa when published |
| KLOW (/products/klow-pen) | 15mg | 15mg | GHK-Cu 75mg + BPC-157 15mg + TB-500 15mg + KPV 15mg | Being re-issued; listed in /coa when published |
Sources
Primary and official sources checked October 2026:
- PubChem: BPC-157, CID 9941957; Lys-Pro-Val (KPV), CID 125672 (pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- FDA: Briefing documents for BPC-157-related and KPV-related bulk drug substances, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee, 23-24 July 2026 (fda.gov)
- Sikiric P et al. Novel cytoprotective mediator, stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: vascular recruitment and gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des, 2018. PMID 29879879
- Seiwerth S et al. BPC 157 and standard angiogenic growth factors: lessons from tendon, ligament, muscle and bone models. Curr Pharm Des, 2018. PMID 29998800
- Jozwiak M et al. Multifunctionality and possible medical application of the BPC 157 peptide: literature and patent review. Pharmaceuticals, 2025. PMID 40005999
- Elliott RJ et al. alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH 11-13 KPV and adrenocorticotropic hormone signalling in human keratinocyte cells. J Invest Dermatol, 2004. PMID 15102092
- Dalmasso G et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake in intestinal inflammation models. Gastroenterology, 2008. PMID 18061177
- Kannengiesser K et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008. PMID 18092346
- AJMC: FDA panel backs 6 peptides for compounding, 31 July 2026
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard, October 2026) Instrument 2026, F2026L01327 (legislation.gov.au)
- WADA: Prohibited List 2026, S0, in force 1 January 2026 (wada-ama.org)
Research use only
Celyfe supplies research peptides for laboratory and research use only. Nothing on this page is guidance on use in humans or animals.
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