Question 1

What is Cortagen?

Accepted Answer

Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, AEDP) short-peptide bioregulator derived from amino-acid analysis of Cortexin, a polypeptide preparation from cow brain cortex. It was developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology and is reported to act on cortical neurons by entering the nucleus and influencing tissue-specific gene expression. The research group claims neuroprotective and nerve-repair effects; evidence is limited to single-group preclinical and small clinical work, and it is not FDA-approved. Merit Verified tracks independent COA test results for Cortagen from multiple vendors.

Question 2

Which vendors sell Cortagen with independent COA testing?

Accepted Answer

3 vendors in the Merit Verified directory have independent COA evidence on file for Cortagen — 8 COAs total. COA coverage and test dates are listed on the Cortagen page at https://meritverified.org/peptides/cortagen.

Question 3

How do I verify the quality of Cortagen from a vendor?

Accepted Answer

To verify Cortagen quality, look for an independent certificate of analysis (COA) from a third-party lab — not a lab the vendor owns or pays directly. The COA should state the tested compound, lot number, purity percentage (identity and concentration), and the lab's name. Cross-reference the lot number against the vendor's current stock. Merit Verified indexes COAs for Cortagen at https://meritverified.org/peptides/cortagen so you can compare evidence across vendors before buying.

Question 4

What is the regulatory status of Cortagen?

Accepted Answer

Cortagen is classified as research-use only in the Merit Verified registry. In the United States, the FDA removed several peptides including BPC-157, TB-500, and GLP-1 analogues from the 503A compounding ingredient list in April 2026, restricting their use in compounded drugs for human administration. Vendors selling Cortagen for research purposes are not selling it as a drug or supplement; the legal status of purchasing for personal use varies by jurisdiction. Merit Verified does not provide legal or medical advice — confirm current regulatory status with a licensed professional.

	Vendor	Price	$/mg	vs avg	Purity	COAs	Merit
🇺🇸	BioLongevity Labs via Disclosed Labs · just now	$69.97· 20mg	$3.50/mg	+13.2%	99.8%	5	96
🇺🇸	Ion Peptide ✓ verified at source · just now	$79.00· 20mg	$3.95/mg	+27.9%	99.5%	2	95
🇺🇸	Peptidology ✓ verified at source · just now	$54.99· 20mg	$2.75/mg	-11%	99.8%	1	89
🇺🇸	Verified Peptides via Disclosed Labs · just now	$55.00· 20mg	$2.75/mg	-11%	—	—	86
	peptidetech.is via Disclosed Labs · just now	$49.99· 20mg	$2.50/mg	-19.1%	—	—	Unscored

Cortagen

Pricing for Cortagen

COAs for Cortagen

13 citations indexed for Cortagen

Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties

Effects of Peptamen 1.6 in Malnourished Patients (or at Risk) With Pancreatic Neoplasia Undergoing Cephalic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (CPD): A Mechanistic Study

Short Peptides Protect Fibroblast-Derived Induced Neurons from Age-Related Changes

EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN

[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]

Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes