Anamorelin
Anamorelin is an investigational oral ghrelin receptor agonist in the Growth Hormone Secretagogue class. Anamorelin is a non-peptide agonist at growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a. Beyond stimulating growth hormone and IGF-1, ghrelin receptor activation in hypothalamic circuits increases appetite and food intake, which is the basis for its development in cachexia.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 249921-19-5
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 546.7 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Investigational New Drug (IND)
- Administration Route
- oral
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist developed for cancer cachexia and approved for that use in Japan. It has not been approved by the FDA, which cited insufficient evidence of functional benefit.
Peptide Library's Anamorelin profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- —
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- oral
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C31H42N6O3 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 546.7 g/mol |
| CAS number | 249921-19-5 |
| PubChem CID | 9828911 |
| FDA UNII | DD5RBA1NKF |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2110579 |
| DrugBank | DB06645 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Anamorelin is a non-peptide agonist at growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a. Beyond stimulating growth hormone and IGF-1, ghrelin receptor activation in hypothalamic circuits increases appetite and food intake, which is the basis for its development in cachexia. Trials consistently showed gains in lean body mass and weight, but improvements in handgrip strength and other functional measures were not demonstrated.
Studies
- The effect of anamorelin (ONO-7643) on cachexia in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Anamorelin Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Cachexia: Insights From ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2
- Anamorelin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and cachexia (ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2): results from two randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials
- Biomarker endpoints in cancer cachexia clinical trials: Systematic Review 5 of the cachexia endpoint series
- Anamorelin for the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome
Regulatory & research status
Anamorelin has been studied under an Investigational New Drug application. It is not approved for marketing.
| FDA status | Investigational New Drug (IND) |
|---|---|
| Research status | Investigational; clinical development reported |
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | Clinical Trial |
Benefits
—
Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Anamorelin: frequently asked questions
What is Anamorelin?
Orally active ghrelin receptor agonist developed for cancer cachexia and approved for that use in Japan. It has not been approved by the FDA, which cited insufficient evidence of functional benefit.
How does Anamorelin work?
Anamorelin is a non-peptide agonist at growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a. Beyond stimulating growth hormone and IGF-1, ghrelin receptor activation in hypothalamic circuits increases appetite and food intake, which is the basis for its development in cachexia.
Is Anamorelin FDA approved?
No. Anamorelin is investigational: it is in clinical development and has not been approved by the FDA for any indication. Investigational status means trials are ongoing or complete but regulatory review has not resulted in approval, and efficacy and safety are still being established.
What peptides are similar to Anamorelin?
Compounds most often compared with Anamorelin include MK-677, Macimorelin, Tabimorelin and Relamorelin. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- The effect of anamorelin (ONO-7643) on cachexia in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — J Oncol Pharm Pract, 2023External reference
- Anamorelin Efficacy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Cachexia: Insights From ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2 — J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2025External reference
- Anamorelin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and cachexia (ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2): results from two randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials — Lancet Oncol, 2016External reference
- Biomarker endpoints in cancer cachexia clinical trials: Systematic Review 5 of the cachexia endpoint series — J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2024External reference
- Anamorelin for the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome — Curr Oncol Rep, 2024External reference
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Anamorelin profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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