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Barbell Medicine Podcast · August 7 · 1 hr 6 min

The FDA Voted for 6 Peptides. Its Own Scientists Said No

An FDA advisory committee just voted to open a legal compounding supply line for six of seven peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, over the objection of the FDA's own scientists, who recommended against all seven. Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum walks through what the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee actually voted on, why a vote about ulcerative colitis ends up governing tendon and joint use, what the single human BPC-157 trial does and doesn't show, and why "a pharmacy makes it safe" and "there's no money to study it" don't hold up. Evidence-based, no hype, no nocebo. Timestamps: | 00:00:00 | The FDA voted 8-6. What it actually means | 00:01:25 | What I am, and am not, claiming | 00:03:21 | How they got here: Category 2 and the paperwork | 00:07:17 | Who was in the room: the panel that flipped | 00:10:57 | What they voted on: compounding and the bulks list | 00:15:37 | "No money in it, you can't patent it" | 00:18:24 | The trials already run: Plevna and MK-677 | 00:22:55 | "I took it and it worked": placebo and fake surgery | 00:27:02 | The one human trial: Ruenzi 2005 | 00:32:28 | Is it natural? Is it even a drug? | 00:36:58 | Harm reduction, or follow the money? | 00:42:45 | Three times a missing trial went wrong | 00:50:58 | Safety: known, unknown, and unknowable | 00:55:22 | The other six peptides | 00:58:22 | What I'd actually tell you | 01:02:08 | What actually works, and what would change my mind Resources: Barbell Medicine coaching and templates: https://www.barbellmedicine.com Plus podcast subscription: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/subscriptions/plus-podcast-subscription/ Barbell Medicine Premium: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/subscriptions/barbell-medicine-premium/ Signal (book pre-order): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/learning/signal/ 1. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Briefing Document: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee Meeting. July 23-24, 2026. Silver Spring, MD: FDA; 2026. 2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of BPC-157-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Document. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193343. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/media/193343/download 3. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of TB-500-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Document. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193349. 4. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of KPV-, MOTS-c-, Semax-, Epitalon-, and Emideltide-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Documents. July 23-24, 2026. 5. US Food and Drug Administration. Questions for the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee. July 23-24, 2026. 6. US Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting roster. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193772. 7. US Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting roster. 2022. Media 159040. 8. openFDA. FAERS adverse event reports for BPC-157. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://open.fda.gov 9. Pharmacy compounding; 503A bulk drug substances. 21 CFR §216.23 (2026). 10. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act §503A, 21 USC §353a (pharmacy compounding). 11. Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs v von Eschenbach, 495 F3d 695 (DC Cir 2007). 12. United States v Rutherford, 442 US 544 (1979). 13. Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, Pub L No. 115-176, 132 Stat 1372 (2018). 14. US Food and Drug Administration. Regulatory considerations for human drug products containing peptides. Guidance for Industry (draft). 2020. 15. Ruenzi M, Stolte M, Veljaca M, et al. Efficacy and safety of PL 14736 (BPC 157) in patients with active ulcerative colitis [abstract]. Gastroenterology. 2005. Meeting abstract; full study not published. 16. Staresinic M, Petrovic I, Novinscak T, et al. Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. J Orthop Res. 2006;24(5):1109-1117. doi:10.1002/jor.20089 17. Gwyer D, Wragg NM, Wilson SL. Gastric pentadecapeptide body protection compound BPC 157 and its role in accelerating musculoskeletal soft tissue healing. Cell Tissue Res. 2019;377(2):153-159. doi:10.1007/s00441-019-03016-8 18. Sikiric P, Skrtic A, Gojkovic S, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and hemorrhage/thrombosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026;19(3):463. doi:10.3390/ph19030463 19. Stavchansky VV, Filippenkov IB, Dergunova LV, Limborska SA. The role of glyprolines in the regulation of gene expression: focus on Semax. Genes (Basel). 2022;13(12):2380. doi:10.3390/genes13122380 20. Mendias CL, Awan TM. The safety and efficacy of approved and unapproved peptides. Sports Med. 2026. doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0 21. Moseley JB, O'Malley K, Petersen NJ, et al. A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(2):81-88. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa013259 22. Cobb LA, Thomas GI, Dillard DH, Merendino KA, Bruce RA. An evaluation of internal-mammary-artery ligation by a double-blind technic. N Engl J Med. 1959;260(22):1115-1118. 23. Dimond EG, Kittle CF, Crockett JE. Comparison of internal mammary artery ligation and sham operation for angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol. 1960;5:483-486. 24. Alfredson H, Pietila T, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R. Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(3):360-366. doi:10.1177/03635465980260030301 25. Kongsgaard M, Kovanen V, Aagaard P, et al. Corticosteroid injections, eccentric decline squat training and heavy slow resistance training in patellar tendinopathy. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2009;19(6):790-802. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00949.x 26. Langberg H, Skovgaard D, Karamouzis M, Bulow J, Kjaer M. Metabolism and inflammatory mediators in the peritendinous space measured by microdialysis during intermittent isometric exercise in humans. J Physiol. 1999;515(Pt 3):919-927. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.919ab.x 27. Coombes BK, Bisset L, Brooks P, Khan A, Vicenzino B. Effect of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy, or both on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2013;309(5):461-469. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.129 28. Kearney RS, Ji C, Warwick J, et al. Effect of platelet-rich plasma injection vs sham injection on tendon dysfunction in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;326(2):137-144. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6986 29. Pavlova AV, Shim JSC, Moss R, et al. Effect of resistance exercise dose components for tendinopathy management: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(20):1327-1334. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-105754 30. Weintraub M, Sundaresan PR, Madan M, et al. Long-term weight control study I (weeks 0 to 34): fenfluramine plus phentermine versus placebo. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1992;51(5):586-594. doi:10.1038/clpt.1992.69 31. Connolly HM, Crary JL, McGoon MD, et al. Valvular heart disease associated with fenfluramine-phentermine. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(9):581-588. doi:10.1056/NEJM199708283370901 32. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cardiac valvulopathy associated with exposure to fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine: interim public health recommendations, 1997. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1997;46(45):1061-1066. 33. Bombardier C, Laine L, Reicin A, et al; VIGOR Study Group. Comparison of upper gastrointestinal toxicity of rofecoxib and naproxen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(21):1520-1528. doi:10.1056/NEJM200011233432103 34. Graham DJ, Campen D, Hui R, et al. Risk of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in patients treated with cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: nested case-control study. Lancet. 2005;365(9458):475-481. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17864-7 35. Smith RM, Schaefer MK, Kainer MA, et al; Multistate Fungal Infection Outbreak Response Team. Fungal infections associated with contaminated methylprednisolone injections. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(17):1598-1609. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1213978 36. Adunsky A, Chandler J, Heyden N, et al. MK-0677 (ibutamoren mesylate) for the treatment of patients recovering from hip fracture: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIb study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2011;53(2):183-189. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2010.10.004 [Trial terminated early for a congestive-heart-failure safety signal.] 37. Nass R, Pezzoli SS, Oliveri MC, et al. Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(9):601-611. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-149-9-200811040-00003 38. Van Wagoner RM, Eichner A, Bhasin S, Deuster PA, Eichner D. Chemical composition and labeling of substances marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators and sold via the internet. JAMA. 2017;318(20):2004-2010. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.17069 39. ECRI and Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Unapproved peptide products: safety and quality concerns [white paper]. Plymouth Meeting, PA: ECRI; April 2026. 40. Center for Science in the Public Interest. What are injectable peptides, and are they safe? Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.cspinet.org 41. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List. Montreal, QC: WADA; 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.wada-ama.org 42. US Anti-Doping Agency. BPC-157: a prohibited peptide. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.usada.org 43. FDA committee votes in favor of compounding several peptides. Time. July 23, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://time.com 44. FDA advisory committee backs controversial peptides. Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.raps.org 45. FDA panel okays peptides for compounding, including BPC-157 and KPV. STAT News. July 23, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.statnews.com 46. FDA panel recommends easing peptide restrictions over agency scientists' objections. NBC News. 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com 47. Associated Press. Financial ties reported among FDA peptide advisory panel members. 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. 48. Leerink Partners. Equity research note: PCAC peptide vote and the telehealth compounding market. 2026. 49. Examine.com. BPC-157 research breakdown. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://examine.com/supplements/bpc-157/ 50. Jarry J. Body protection compound: no proof required. McGill Office for Science and Society. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss Our Sponsors: * Check out CovePure and use my code CovePure.com/bbm for a great deal: https://covepure.com * Check out FIGS: https://wearfigs.com * Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/bbm50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com * Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/BBM for a great deal: https://www.quince.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

0:00-1:06:20

transcript

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show notes

An FDA advisory committee just voted to open a legal compounding supply line for six of seven peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, over the objection of the FDA's own scientists, who recommended against all seven. Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum walks through what the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee actually voted on, why a vote about ulcerative colitis ends up governing tendon and joint use, what the single human BPC-157 trial does and doesn't show, and why "a pharmacy makes it safe" and "there's no money to study it" don't hold up. Evidence-based, no hype, no nocebo.


Timestamps:

 | 00:00:00 | The FDA voted 8-6. What it actually means

 | 00:01:25 | What I am, and am not, claiming

 | 00:03:21 | How they got here: Category 2 and the paperwork

 | 00:07:17 | Who was in the room: the panel that flipped

 | 00:10:57 | What they voted on: compounding and the bulks list

 | 00:15:37 | "No money in it, you can't patent it"

 | 00:18:24 | The trials already run: Plevna and MK-677

 | 00:22:55 | "I took it and it worked": placebo and fake surgery

 | 00:27:02 | The one human trial: Ruenzi 2005

 | 00:32:28 | Is it natural? Is it even a drug?

 | 00:36:58 | Harm reduction, or follow the money?

 | 00:42:45 | Three times a missing trial went wrong

 | 00:50:58 | Safety: known, unknown, and unknowable

 | 00:55:22 | The other six peptides

 | 00:58:22 | What I'd actually tell you

 | 01:02:08 | What actually works, and what would change my mind


Resources:

  • Barbell Medicine coaching and templates: https://www.barbellmedicine.com
  • Plus podcast subscription: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/subscriptions/plus-podcast-subscription/
  • Barbell Medicine Premium: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/subscriptions/barbell-medicine-premium/
  • Signal (book pre-order): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/learning/signal/


1. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Briefing Document: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee Meeting. July 23-24, 2026. Silver Spring, MD: FDA; 2026.

2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of BPC-157-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Document. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193343. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/media/193343/download

3. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of TB-500-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Document. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193349.

4. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA review of KPV-, MOTS-c-, Semax-, Epitalon-, and Emideltide-related bulk drug substances. PCAC Briefing Documents. July 23-24, 2026.

5. US Food and Drug Administration. Questions for the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee. July 23-24, 2026.

6. US Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting roster. July 23-24, 2026. Media 193772.

7. US Food and Drug Administration. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting roster. 2022. Media 159040.

8. openFDA. FAERS adverse event reports for BPC-157. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://open.fda.gov

9. Pharmacy compounding; 503A bulk drug substances. 21 CFR §216.23 (2026).

10. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act §503A, 21 USC §353a (pharmacy compounding).

11. Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs v von Eschenbach, 495 F3d 695 (DC Cir 2007).

12. United States v Rutherford, 442 US 544 (1979).

13. Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017, Pub L No. 115-176, 132 Stat 1372 (2018).

14. US Food and Drug Administration. Regulatory considerations for human drug products containing peptides. Guidance for Industry (draft). 2020.

15. Ruenzi M, Stolte M, Veljaca M, et al. Efficacy and safety of PL 14736 (BPC 157) in patients with active ulcerative colitis [abstract]. Gastroenterology. 2005. Meeting abstract; full study not published.

16. Staresinic M, Petrovic I, Novinscak T, et al. Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. J Orthop Res. 2006;24(5):1109-1117. doi:10.1002/jor.20089

17. Gwyer D, Wragg NM, Wilson SL. Gastric pentadecapeptide body protection compound BPC 157 and its role in accelerating musculoskeletal soft tissue healing. Cell Tissue Res. 2019;377(2):153-159. doi:10.1007/s00441-019-03016-8

18. Sikiric P, Skrtic A, Gojkovic S, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and hemorrhage/thrombosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026;19(3):463. doi:10.3390/ph19030463

19. Stavchansky VV, Filippenkov IB, Dergunova LV, Limborska SA. The role of glyprolines in the regulation of gene expression: focus on Semax. Genes (Basel). 2022;13(12):2380. doi:10.3390/genes13122380

20. Mendias CL, Awan TM. The safety and efficacy of approved and unapproved peptides. Sports Med. 2026. doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0

21. Moseley JB, O'Malley K, Petersen NJ, et al. A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(2):81-88. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa013259

22. Cobb LA, Thomas GI, Dillard DH, Merendino KA, Bruce RA. An evaluation of internal-mammary-artery ligation by a double-blind technic. N Engl J Med. 1959;260(22):1115-1118.

23. Dimond EG, Kittle CF, Crockett JE. Comparison of internal mammary artery ligation and sham operation for angina pectoris. Am J Cardiol. 1960;5:483-486.

24. Alfredson H, Pietila T, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R. Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26(3):360-366. doi:10.1177/03635465980260030301

25. Kongsgaard M, Kovanen V, Aagaard P, et al. Corticosteroid injections, eccentric decline squat training and heavy slow resistance training in patellar tendinopathy. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2009;19(6):790-802. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00949.x

26. Langberg H, Skovgaard D, Karamouzis M, Bulow J, Kjaer M. Metabolism and inflammatory mediators in the peritendinous space measured by microdialysis during intermittent isometric exercise in humans. J Physiol. 1999;515(Pt 3):919-927. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.919ab.x

27. Coombes BK, Bisset L, Brooks P, Khan A, Vicenzino B. Effect of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy, or both on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2013;309(5):461-469. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.129

28. Kearney RS, Ji C, Warwick J, et al. Effect of platelet-rich plasma injection vs sham injection on tendon dysfunction in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;326(2):137-144. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6986

29. Pavlova AV, Shim JSC, Moss R, et al. Effect of resistance exercise dose components for tendinopathy management: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(20):1327-1334. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-105754

30. Weintraub M, Sundaresan PR, Madan M, et al. Long-term weight control study I (weeks 0 to 34): fenfluramine plus phentermine versus placebo. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1992;51(5):586-594. doi:10.1038/clpt.1992.69

31. Connolly HM, Crary JL, McGoon MD, et al. Valvular heart disease associated with fenfluramine-phentermine. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(9):581-588. doi:10.1056/NEJM199708283370901

32. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cardiac valvulopathy associated with exposure to fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine: interim public health recommendations, 1997. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1997;46(45):1061-1066.

33. Bombardier C, Laine L, Reicin A, et al; VIGOR Study Group. Comparison of upper gastrointestinal toxicity of rofecoxib and naproxen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2000;343(21):1520-1528. doi:10.1056/NEJM200011233432103

34. Graham DJ, Campen D, Hui R, et al. Risk of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in patients treated with cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: nested case-control study. Lancet. 2005;365(9458):475-481. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17864-7

35. Smith RM, Schaefer MK, Kainer MA, et al; Multistate Fungal Infection Outbreak Response Team. Fungal infections associated with contaminated methylprednisolone injections. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(17):1598-1609. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1213978

36. Adunsky A, Chandler J, Heyden N, et al. MK-0677 (ibutamoren mesylate) for the treatment of patients recovering from hip fracture: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase IIb study. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2011;53(2):183-189. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2010.10.004 [Trial terminated early for a congestive-heart-failure safety signal.]

37. Nass R, Pezzoli SS, Oliveri MC, et al. Effects of an oral ghrelin mimetic on body composition and clinical outcomes in healthy older adults: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(9):601-611. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-149-9-200811040-00003

38. Van Wagoner RM, Eichner A, Bhasin S, Deuster PA, Eichner D. Chemical composition and labeling of substances marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators and sold via the internet. JAMA. 2017;318(20):2004-2010. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.17069

39. ECRI and Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Unapproved peptide products: safety and quality concerns [white paper]. Plymouth Meeting, PA: ECRI; April 2026.

40. Center for Science in the Public Interest. What are injectable peptides, and are they safe? Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.cspinet.org

41. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List. Montreal, QC: WADA; 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.wada-ama.org

42. US Anti-Doping Agency. BPC-157: a prohibited peptide. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.usada.org

43. FDA committee votes in favor of compounding several peptides. Time. July 23, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://time.com

44. FDA advisory committee backs controversial peptides. Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.raps.org

45. FDA panel okays peptides for compounding, including BPC-157 and KPV. STAT News. July 23, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.statnews.com

46. FDA panel recommends easing peptide restrictions over agency scientists' objections. NBC News. 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com

47. Associated Press. Financial ties reported among FDA peptide advisory panel members. 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026.

48. Leerink Partners. Equity research note: PCAC peptide vote and the telehealth compounding market. 2026.

49. Examine.com. BPC-157 research breakdown. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://examine.com/supplements/bpc-157/

50. Jarry J. Body protection compound: no proof required. McGill Office for Science and Society. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss



Our Sponsors:
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* Check out Factor and use my code factormeals.com/bbm50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com
* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/BBM for a great deal: https://www.quince.com


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