BPC-157 vs TB-500: structure, research status and lab-tested lots
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links to Paramount Peptides and Peptira, and SKYLER is Skyler Humphrey's affiliate code. We earn a commission if you buy through the vendor links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Peptides & Coffee is an independent COA reference and is not owned by or affiliated with the vendors or labs listed. Lab results are published by the vendors and labs; we link to each lab's own verification record so you can check them yourself.
BPC-157 is a single, well-defined 15-amino-acid peptide (C62H98N16O22, 1419.5 g/mol). "TB-500" is a trade name, not a precise chemical one: FDA and PubChem use it for a 7-residue fragment of thymosin beta-4 (LKKTETQ, residues 17–23), but on many vendor COAs the identity is reported as thymosin beta-4, the full 43-residue protein (about 4,963 g/mol). The COAs on file show both. Neither compound has FDA approval; both are on WADA's 2026 Prohibited List. Published BPC-157 research is overwhelmingly preclinical, and FDA says it has identified no human exposure data for the TB-500 fragment. The practical takeaway for anyone holding a vial: read the identity line on the lot's COA, because it tells you which molecule the lab actually found.
BPC-157 and TB-500 at a glance
| BPC-157 | TB-500 | |
|---|---|---|
| What the name refers to | One defined peptide sequence | Used for two different molecules: the thymosin beta-4 fragment LKKTETQ (FDA's and PubChem's usage) or, on many vendor COAs, thymosin beta-4 itself |
| Length | 15 amino acids | Fragment: 7 amino acids (Tβ4 residues 17–23) Full thymosin beta-4: 43 amino acids |
| Sequence | GEPPPGKPADDAGLV | Ac-LKKTETQ (fragment) Ac-SDKPDMAEIEKFDKSKLKKTETQEKNPLPSKETIEQEKQAGES (full Tβ4) |
| Formula / mass | C62H98N16O22 · 1419.5 g/mol | Ac-LKKTETQ: C38H68N10O14 · 889.0 g/mol Full Tβ4: C212H350N56O78S · about 4,963 g/mol |
| Reference records | PubChem CID 9941957 [1] | PubChem CID 62707662 (TB-500) [2]; PubChem CID 45382195 and UniProt P62328 (thymosin beta-4) [3][4] |
| Published research base | Mostly preclinical: 35 of 36 studies in a 2025 systematic review [7] | FDA reports no human exposure data identified for the fragment [5] |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved; not on the 503A Bulks List [5][8] | Not FDA-approved; not on the 503A Bulks List [5][8] |
| WADA 2026 | Prohibited, class S0 (non-approved substances) [6] | Prohibited, class S2 ("Thymosin-β4 and its derivatives e.g. TB-500") [6] |
| Lots on file here | 53 single-compound lots | 27 single-compound lots |
Masses are average molecular weights from the cited records. Plus 35 lots of vendor blends labeled as containing both.
What BPC-157 is
BPC-157 is a synthetic linear peptide of 15 amino acids, Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. PubChem lists it as CID 9941957 with the formula C62H98N16O22 and a molecular weight of 1419.5 g/mol [1]. Review authors describe it as a peptide of gastric origin; the "BPC" stands for "body protection compound" [7].
Two practical notes for reading BPC-157 COAs:
- Acetylated versions are different molecules. Some vendors sell an "acetylated" BPC-157 (Paramount lists one). Acetylation adds mass, so the expected mass on a mass-spec identity result is not the 1419.5 g/mol of the free peptide. Check what the lab says it confirmed.
- Salt form changes the weight, not the purity. BPC-157 is often supplied as an acetate or similar salt. HPLC purity reports the share of the main peptide peak; it doesn't tell you how much of the powder's weight is peptide. Our COA guide explains purity vs. quantity.
What "TB-500" refers to (and why it matters on a COA)
Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is a naturally occurring 43-residue protein. UniProt's entry for the human protein (P62328) lists a 44-residue sequence whose initiator methionine is removed, leaving a mature chain that starts with an N-acetylated serine [4]. PubChem records it with the formula C212H350N56O78S and a molecular weight of about 4,963 g/mol [3].
"TB-500" is narrower in the regulatory and reference literature. FDA's bulk-substance list names "Thymosin beta-4, fragment (LKKTETQ), also known as TB-500" [5], and PubChem's "TB-500" record (CID 62707662) is the acetylated heptapeptide Ac-LKKTETQ, C38H68N10O14, 889.0 g/mol [2]. LKKTETQ is residues 17–23 of the mature Tβ4 chain.
In the market, though, the name is used loosely. Here is what the identity line says on the TB-500 certificates we hold (single-compound products only; Janoshik certificates in our set don't print an identity result, so they're not counted):
| Vendor | Lab | Identity line on the COA | Lots | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs | Conforms (Thymosin Beta 4) | 3 | 26VTBC164 |
| Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs | Conforms (17-23 Fragment) | 1 | 26VTBL068 |
| Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics | Mass identified as Thymosin Beta-4 (LC-MS) | 2 | TB5-10-004 |
| Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics | Confirmed (LC-MS) | 1 | TB5-10-005 |
So "TB-500" on a label can mean a 7-residue fragment or a 43-residue protein, two molecules that differ more than five-fold in mass. That's not a judgment about either vendor; the name is simply used both ways. It is the single best reason to open the actual COA for your lot and read what the lab confirmed, rather than relying on the product name.
Research status by study type
This section describes what kind of evidence exists, not what it found. Outcomes reported in animal or cell studies don't establish anything about people, and we don't summarize them here.
- BPC-157. A 2025 systematic review in HSS Journal (Vasireddi et al.) identified 544 articles published from 1993 to 2024 and included 36 studies: 35 preclinical and 1 clinical. The single clinical study was a small retrospective report. The authors found no clinical safety data and rated the evidence as level IV and V [7].
- TB-500 (LKKTETQ fragment). In its bulk-substance safety review, FDA states it "has not identified any human exposure data" for drug products containing the fragment, and that it lacks important information on safety [5].
- Full-length thymosin beta-4. Tβ4 is a naturally occurring protein that is widely studied in cell biology [4]. Research on the natural protein shouldn't be read as research on the 7-residue TB-500 fragment, or the other way round. They are different molecules.
FDA's summary for both compounds also flags chemistry concerns that matter for anyone evaluating a COA: possible peptide-related impurities, aggregation, and (for BPC-157) difficulty characterizing the active ingredient [5]. Those are exactly the things HPLC purity and mass-spec identity results are meant to address, one lot at a time.
Regulatory status (checked Oct 7, 2026)
- FDA approval: FDA has not approved BPC-157 or TB-500 as drugs [8].
- Compounding (503A): both were nominated for the 503A Bulks List and had been placed in FDA's "Category 2" (substances that may present significant safety risks). FDA's page now lists both under "Bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn", still with FDA's safety-risk language [5]. In July 2026 FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) voted in favor of adding BPC-157, TB-500 and four other peptides to the 503A Bulks List, against FDA staff's recommendation. That vote is advisory only: FDA has not added them to the list, and rulemaking has no fixed timeline [8].
- Sport: WADA's 2026 Prohibited List names BPC-157 under S0 (non-approved substances) and "Thymosin-β4 and its derivatives e.g. TB-500" under S2. Both are prohibited at all times [6].
Regulatory status changes. We re-check this section when FDA or WADA publishes changes and date every update. This is not legal advice.
Lab-tested BPC-157 and TB-500 lots
Every row links to the lot page, which shows the full results, the original certificate and a button to the lab's own record. The newest lots from each vendor are shown; use the search links for the full list. "Lab record matched" means our checker opened the lab's own record and the lot number matched.
BPC-157 (53 lots)
All BPC-157 lots →| Lot | Product (vendor label) | Vendor | Lab · test date | HPLC purity | Lab record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC10-012 (8X) | BPC-157 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Aug 4, 2026 | 99.69% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| 4KBPC2007052026 | BPC-157 (20mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 20, 2026 | 99.02% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| BPC10N062226 | BPC-157 (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 7, 2026 | 99.44% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| BPC5N071725 | BPC-157 (5mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 6, 2026 | 99.63% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| 26VBPC138 | BPC-157 (20mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jun 26, 2026 | 99.77% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| BPC10-012 | BPC-157 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · May 28, 2026 | 99.68% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| BPC10-011 | BPC-157 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · May 28, 2026 | 99.13% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| BPC10-010 | BPC-157 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Apr 12, 2026 | 99.19% | ✓ Lab record matched |
TB-500 / thymosin beta-4 (27 lots)
All TB-500 lots →| Lot | Product (vendor label) | Vendor | Lab · test date | HPLC purity | Identity on COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26VTBC164 | Thymosin Beta 4 (TB500) (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 8, 2026 | 99.12% | Conforms (Thymosin Beta 4) |
| TB10-12222025-J | Thymosin Beta 4 (TB500) (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 6, 2026 | 99.81% | Conforms (Thymosin Beta 4) |
| 26VTBC110 | Thymosin Beta 4 (TB500) (20mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · May 15, 2026 | 99.39% | Conforms (Thymosin Beta 4) |
| 26VTBL068 | Thymosin Beta 4 (TB500) (20mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · May 7, 2026 | 99.62% | Conforms (17-23 Fragment) |
| TB5-10-005 | TB-500 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Apr 16, 2026 | 99.25% | Confirmed (LC-MS) |
| TB5-10-004 | TB-500 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Dec 18, 2025 | 99.30% | Mass identified as Thymosin Beta-4 (LC-MS) |
| TB5-10-003 | TB-500 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Nov 20, 2025 | 99.44% | Mass identified as Thymosin Beta-4 (LC-MS) |
| TB5-1-002 | TB-500 Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Janoshik · Aug 13, 2025 | 99.94% | Not reported |
Blends labeled as BPC-157 + TB-500 (35 lots)
All blend lots →For blends, a single "HPLC purity" figure can't describe two peptides separately. Check how the lab reported each component on the certificate.
| Lot | Product (vendor label) | Vendor | Lab · test date | Reported purity | Lab record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10KWLV09082026 | Wolverine Blend - BPC-157 (10mg) / TB500 (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Sep 22, 2026 | 99.62% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| WOLV10-009 (8X) | TB/BP Blend (Wolverine) Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Aug 4, 2026 | 99.06% | Not confirmed |
| TBB20N060226 | Wolverine Blend - BPC-157 (10mg) / TB500 (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jul 7, 2026 | 99.66% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| TBB20052726 | Wolverine Blend - BPC-157 (10mg) / TB500 (10mg) | Paramount Peptides | Accumark Labs · Jun 16, 2026 | 99.69% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| WOLV10-007 | TB/BP Blend (Wolverine) Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Apr 12, 2026 | 99.18% | ✓ Lab record matched |
| WOLV10-008 | TB/BP Blend (Wolverine) Vial 10 mg | Peptira | Freedom Diagnostics · Apr 12, 2026 | 99.38% | ✓ Lab record matched |
Values are copied from each certificate and the lab's record; nothing is estimated. Below-98% lots are listed like any other. Lot data as of Oct 8, 2026.
How to check a BPC-157 or TB-500 COA
- Match the lot. The lot on the certificate must match the lot printed on your vial. A COA for another lot tells you nothing about yours.
- Read the identity line. For TB-500 especially, check whether the lab confirmed full thymosin beta-4 or the 17–23 fragment, and whether a method (LC-MS, HPLC retention time) is named.
- Compare the mass, if one is printed. About 1419.5 g/mol for BPC-157, about 889 g/mol for Ac-LKKTETQ, about 4,963 g/mol for full Tβ4 (average masses; monoisotopic values and charge states differ).
- Open the lab's own record. Use the verification code on the lot page and confirm lot, dates and results match.
The full walkthrough is in How to read a peptide COA.
Where these lots are sold
Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy through these links or use code SKYLER, at no extra cost to you. We list every lot we hold for both vendors and don't rank them.
Paramount Peptides
87 BPC-157 / TB-500 lots on file · labs: Accumark Labs, Janoshik
Shop Paramount Peptides ↗Each lot page links to the matching Paramount product page with the same affiliate code.
Peptira
28 BPC-157 / TB-500 lots on file · labs: Freedom Diagnostics, Janoshik
Shop Peptira ↗Peptira's catalog sits behind a research-account sign-in, so the link opens its home page.
FAQ
What is the difference between BPC-157 and TB-500?
They are unrelated molecules. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide (1419.5 g/mol). TB-500 is a name used for a 7-residue fragment of thymosin beta-4 (Ac-LKKTETQ, about 889 g/mol) and, on many vendor certificates, for full 43-residue thymosin beta-4 (about 4,963 g/mol).
Is TB-500 the same as thymosin beta-4?
Not strictly. FDA and PubChem use "TB-500" for the LKKTETQ fragment, residues 17–23 of thymosin beta-4. Some vendors use the name for the full protein. The identity line on a lot's COA shows which one the lab confirmed.
Why are BPC-157 and TB-500 so often searched together?
Vendors frequently sell them side by side and as pre-mixed blends, which is why "BPC-157 and TB-500" is a common search. Chemically they have nothing in common, and a blend's certificate should report each component.
Do BPC-157 or TB-500 have FDA approval?
No. Neither is an approved drug, and neither is on FDA's 503A Bulks List. A July 2026 advisory committee vote in favor of listing them is not a final FDA decision.
Are BPC-157 and TB-500 banned in sport?
Yes. WADA's 2026 Prohibited List names BPC-157 (S0) and thymosin-β4 and its derivatives, including TB-500 (S2). Both are prohibited at all times.
Does this page explain how to use them?
No. Both are sold for laboratory research use only. This site covers chemistry, research status, regulatory status and lot-level testing data only.
Sources
All accessed Oct 7, 2026.
- PubChem. BPC 157, CID 9941957 (sequence, formula, molecular weight). National Library of Medicine. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9941957
- PubChem. TB-500 (Ac-Leu-Lys-Lys-Thr-Glu-Thr-Gln-OH), CID 62707662. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/62707662
- PubChem. Thymosin beta-4, CID 45382195. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/45382195
- UniProt. P62328, Thymosin beta-4 (human, TMSB4X): sequence and processing. uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P62328
- U.S. FDA. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Category 2; "nominated but withdrawn" table: BPC-157; Thymosin beta-4, fragment (LKKTETQ), also known as TB-500). fda.gov
- World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List (S0 Non-approved substances; S2 Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics). In force Jan 1, 2026. wada-ama.org
- Vasireddi N, et al. Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review. HSS Journal. 2025;21(4):485-495. doi:10.1177/15563316251355551. PMC12313605
- Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. FDA Advisory Committee Voted Yes on Six Peptides. Now What? The Regulatory Road Ahead. Aug 18, 2026. bipc.com
- Lot data: certificates of analysis published by Paramount Peptides and Peptira and the testing labs' own records (Accumark Labs, Freedom Diagnostics, Janoshik), linked from each lot page.
This page explains chemistry and documents. It is not medical or legal advice, and it is not advice on using any product.