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Neuropeptides · MELANOCORTIN ANALOG
Melanotan II 10 mg
Lyophilized vial · 7 AA
Per vial
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- Purity Guarantee. If a batch fails our ≥99% HPLC standard, full refund + replacement.
- Batch certificate in the COA library, anytime, free
- Same reorder price — forever, no upcharge
$57.99
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Melanotan II in brief
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that binds several melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R), studied in pigmentation and melanocortin pathway research since the 1990s. Not approved by the FDA for any use. Supplied for research use only.
— About this compound
Melanotan II.
Class · Cyclic lactam α-MSH analog — non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist
Origin. Developed at the University of Arizona by Mac Hadley, Victor Hruby, and colleagues in the late 1980s as a superpotent cyclic analog of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone with extended stability and bioavailability.
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide derived from α-MSH. The cyclization (between Asp5 and Lys10) plus the substitution of D-Phe at position 7 produced a "superpotent" non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist that became a frequent reference compound in melanocortin pharmacology research.
MT-II binds with high affinity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. The receptor-promiscuous profile contrasts with the more MC3R/MC4R-preferential PT-141 (which was, in fact, developed as a metabolite of MT-II).
— Common research applications
- Melanogenesis research
- Melanocortin receptor pharmacology
- Comparative MC-receptor selectivity studies
- Appetite-regulation preclinical models
— Mechanism
How it's been studied.
Pan-melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives melanogenesis in dermal melanocyte research. MC3R and MC4R activation in hypothalamic populations modulates appetite, energy expenditure, and sexual response in preclinical models.
Mechanism descriptions reflect findings reported in the preclinical and basic-research literature. They are not clinical conclusions and not statements of therapeutic effect.
— The Chemistry
The numbers, plainly.
CAS
121062-08-6
Molecular weight
1024.2 Da
Formula
—
Sequence
—
Format
Lyophilized powder
Vial dose
10 mg
Purity (HPLC)
≥99%
Amino acids
7
Half-life
~1 hr (preclinical and early-clinical reports).
Solubility
Physicochemical context only. Merit Sciences publishes no reconstitution or preparation procedures.
View the June 2026 batch certificate for Melanotan II 10 mg → or browse every certificate.
— Why Merit
The supplier difference.
How Merit compares to the two alternatives most research buyers consider for Melanotan II.
Comparison reflects published facility status and standard industry practice. Compounding pharmacy availability of research peptides varies by jurisdiction.
— How it's made
From compound to your shelf.
Every Merit batch follows the same documented path. Five steps, every one verifiable.
- 01
Sourcing
Compound starts as a research-grade API.
Active pharmaceutical ingredient sourced from FDA-registered manufacturers. Identity confirmed against reference standard before any compounding begins.
- API from FDA-registered manufacturers
- Identity verified against reference standard
- Chain of custody documented
- 02
Compounding
Sterile-filled in a US cleanroom.
Lyophilized in a cleanroom at our US facility. The powder format gives ≥24 months sealed stability — no cold-chain shipping required.
- Licensed US facility
- Batch-documented manufacturing process
- Lyophilized powder for transit stability
- 03
Verification
Every batch HPLC-tested.
Reverse-phase HPLC-UV (UV/MS for higher-MW peptides) confirms identity and purity for every batch before it leaves the lab. The chromatogram is archived.
- Reverse-phase HPLC, per-batch
- ≥99% purity floor — every batch
- Chromatogram archived for every batch
- 04
Release
The batch is released against an independent assay.
No batch ships until an independent laboratory has returned its identity and purity results and the certificate is published in the COA library.
- Independent laboratory on every batch
- Certificate published before sale
- Every certificate is in the public COA library
- 05
Dispatch
Ships from San Antonio in 48 hours.
Sealed vials with a QR code on the label that opens the COA library. Order before 2pm CT Monday–Thursday for same-day dispatch. UPS Ground, tracked + insured.
- 48hr dispatch from San Antonio, TX
- QR code on every vial label
- UPS Ground, tracked + insured
Every step above can be verified for any specific batch by emailing support@meritsciences.com with your order number.
— Research references
The published record.
Peer-reviewed work cited in the public scientific literature. Links resolve to PubMed or the publisher of record.
- 01
Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study
Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al. · Life Sciences · 1996
- 02
Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization
Hadley ME, Dorr RT · Peptides · 2006
- 03
Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans
Hadley ME · Peptides · 2005
Inclusion of a reference does not constitute a clinical claim or recommendation.
— Go deeper
Mechanism, published research and peer-reviewed references for Melanotan II, with no product attached.
Research review on The Assay, Merit’s editorial publication: PT-141 vs Melanotan II: What the Research Compares
— Common Questions
Got questions.
Is Melanotan II FDA-approved?+
Not approved by the FDA for any use. Supplied for research use only.
How is each batch of Melanotan II tested?+
Every batch is tested by an independent laboratory for identity and HPLC purity before it is listed. Merit identifies batches by date: the current certificate for Melanotan II 10 mg is the June 2026 batch, 99.617% purity by HPLC, published at meritsciences.com/coa/MRT-2606-06. The QR code on each vial opens the same page. Open the June 2026 batch certificate →
What does the published research on Melanotan II show?+
A small pilot phase 1 study (Dorr, Life Sciences 1996) reported increased skin pigmentation in volunteers. Hadley (Peptides 2005 and 2006) reviews its melanocortin receptor pharmacology and how its effects on sexual function were discovered. The Melanotan II monograph at meritsciences.com/library/melanotan-ii lists the references, and The Assay, Merit's editorial publication, reviews the evidence at theassay.co/articles/pt-141-vs-melanotan-ii. Read the Melanotan II monograph →
What is Melanotan II?+
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide derived from α-MSH. The cyclization (between Asp5 and Lys10) plus the substitution of D-Phe at position 7 produced a "superpotent" non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist that became a frequent reference compound in melanocortin pharmacology research.
How does Melanotan II work?+
Pan-melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives melanogenesis in dermal melanocyte research. MC3R and MC4R activation in hypothalamic populations modulates appetite, energy expenditure, and sexual response in preclinical models.
What class of compound is Melanotan II?+
Melanotan II is classified as cyclic lactam α-MSH analog — non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist.
What is the reported half-life of Melanotan II?+
~1 hr (preclinical and early-clinical reports).
Why does Merit ship lyophilized?+
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) material is stable in sealed storage: ≥24 months at -20°C. Peptides held in solution degrade far faster, so every compound ships as a dry powder in a sealed vial.
What does "independently assayed" actually mean?+
Every batch is tested by a laboratory independent of the facility that made it, and the certificate is published before the batch is listed. You read the same identity and purity figures we do, which is what separates Merit from a reseller catalog.
How fast does it ship?+
48 hours from order to dispatch, Monday through Thursday. UPS Ground, tracked + insured. From San Antonio, TX, most US addresses receive within 3-5 business days.
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