What is the difference between BPC-157 and TB-500?

BPC-157 is classified as: Synthetic stable gastric pentadecapeptide (15-amino-acid partial sequence derived from a protein in human gastric juice). TB-500 is classified as: Synthetic peptide fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4; note it is NOT the same molecule as full-length recombinant thymosin beta-4. BPC-157 is not an approved medicine and is subject to regulatory restrictions in one or more regions. TB-500 is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks.

Is BPC-157 or TB-500 approved?

BPC-157 is not an approved medicine and is subject to regulatory restrictions in one or more regions. TB-500 is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.

How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for BPC-157 and TB-500?

Peptide Science Daily tracks 3 registered clinical trials for BPC-157 (evidence grade preclinical) and 18 for TB-500 (evidence grade preclinical).

Compound comparison

BPC-157 vs TB-500

This page sets BPC-157 and TB-500 side by side using the data recorded on Peptide Science Daily: drug class, mechanism of action, regulatory status by region, the evidence grade assigned here, and the number of clinical trials tracked. It is a neutral, factual comparison and does not rank either compound or recommend one over the other.

Side-by-side comparison

Class: BPC-157
Synthetic stable gastric pentadecapeptide (15-amino-acid partial sequence derived from a protein in human gastric juice)
TB-500
Synthetic peptide fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4; note it is NOT the same molecule as full-length recombinant thymosin beta-4
Mechanism: BPC-157
In animal and cell models BPC-157 is reported to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair, interact with the nitric oxide (NO) system, exert antioxidant activity, and up-regulate growth-hormone-receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts.
TB-500
The LKKTETQ sequence binds and sequesters actin, influencing cell migration, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, with reported anti-inflammatory effects and stem/progenitor cell recruitment.
United States (FDA): BPC-157
Not FDA-approved; barred from pharmacy compounding as a 503A Category 2 bulk drug substance (2023); no approved human indication. On July 23, 2026, the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8-6, with one abstention, to recommend BPC-157 (for ulcerative colitis) for the Section 503A Bulk Drug Substances List; the vote is advisory and non-binding, and the FDA had not made a final decision as of publication.
TB-500
Not FDA-approved; TB-500 placed on the 503A Category 2 list (barred from compounding). Full-length thymosin beta-4 (RGN-259) is a separate investigational drug in Phase 3 ophthalmic trials. On July 23, 2026, the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8-6, with one abstention, to recommend TB-500 (for wound healing) for the Section 503A Bulk Drug Substances List; the vote is advisory and non-binding, and the FDA had not made a final decision as of publication.
European Union (EMA): BPC-157
No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine.
TB-500
No EMA marketing authorisation.
Australia (TGA): BPC-157
Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine) under the Poisons Standard (added to Schedule 4 effective 1 June 2024); no registered product, prescription/compounded supply only.
TB-500
No registered/approved product; an unapproved therapeutic substance.
WADA: BPC-157
Prohibited at all times under S0 (non-approved substances) since 2022; no therapeutic use exemption available.
TB-500
Prohibited at all times under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors and mimetics) since 2011.
Evidence grade: BPC-157
preclinical
TB-500
preclinical
Tracked clinical trials: BPC-157
3
TB-500
18
Full profile: BPC-157
BPC-157 profile
TB-500
TB-500 profile

Comparison of BPC-157 and TB-500 by class, mechanism, regulatory status by region, evidence grade, and number of tracked clinical trials.
Attribute	BPC-157	TB-500
Class	Synthetic stable gastric pentadecapeptide (15-amino-acid partial sequence derived from a protein in human gastric juice)	Synthetic peptide fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4; note it is NOT the same molecule as full-length recombinant thymosin beta-4
Mechanism	In animal and cell models BPC-157 is reported to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair, interact with the nitric oxide (NO) system, exert antioxidant activity, and up-regulate growth-hormone-receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts.	The LKKTETQ sequence binds and sequesters actin, influencing cell migration, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, with reported anti-inflammatory effects and stem/progenitor cell recruitment.
United States (FDA)	Not FDA-approved; barred from pharmacy compounding as a 503A Category 2 bulk drug substance (2023); no approved human indication. On July 23, 2026, the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8-6, with one abstention, to recommend BPC-157 (for ulcerative colitis) for the Section 503A Bulk Drug Substances List; the vote is advisory and non-binding, and the FDA had not made a final decision as of publication.	Not FDA-approved; TB-500 placed on the 503A Category 2 list (barred from compounding). Full-length thymosin beta-4 (RGN-259) is a separate investigational drug in Phase 3 ophthalmic trials. On July 23, 2026, the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted 8-6, with one abstention, to recommend TB-500 (for wound healing) for the Section 503A Bulk Drug Substances List; the vote is advisory and non-binding, and the FDA had not made a final decision as of publication.
European Union (EMA)	No EMA marketing authorisation; not an approved medicine.	No EMA marketing authorisation.
Australia (TGA)	Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine) under the Poisons Standard (added to Schedule 4 effective 1 June 2024); no registered product, prescription/compounded supply only.	No registered/approved product; an unapproved therapeutic substance.
WADA	Prohibited at all times under S0 (non-approved substances) since 2022; no therapeutic use exemption available.	Prohibited at all times under S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors and mimetics) since 2011.
Evidence grade	preclinical	preclinical
Tracked clinical trials	3	18
Full profile	BPC-157 profile	TB-500 profile

Common questions

What is the difference between BPC-157 and TB-500?: BPC-157 is classified as: Synthetic stable gastric pentadecapeptide (15-amino-acid partial sequence derived from a protein in human gastric juice). TB-500 is classified as: Synthetic peptide fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4; note it is NOT the same molecule as full-length recombinant thymosin beta-4. BPC-157 is not an approved medicine and is subject to regulatory restrictions in one or more regions. TB-500 is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks.
Is BPC-157 or TB-500 approved?: BPC-157 is not an approved medicine and is subject to regulatory restrictions in one or more regions. TB-500 is not approved for medical use and is prohibited in one or more regulatory or anti-doping frameworks. Regulatory status by region is set out in the table above.
How much clinical trial evidence is tracked for BPC-157 and TB-500?: Peptide Science Daily tracks 3 registered clinical trials for BPC-157 (evidence grade preclinical) and 18 for TB-500 (evidence grade preclinical).