--- title: "Thymogen (Oglufanide)" canonical_url: https://bestpeptidecalculator.app/library/thymogen description: "Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as the active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it has been studied as an immunomodulator affecting T-cell differentiation and innate immune function, and is used in some CIS markets for that purpose. Its plasma half-life is measured in minutes, which constrains how it can be given. Not FDA-approved." updated: 2026-11-07 publisher: Peptide Library notice: "Research and educational use only. Not medical advice." --- # Thymogen (Oglufanide) Thymogen (Oglufanide), also called Glu-Trp or Thymagen, is a thymic dipeptide. Thymogen is Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as an active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it is reported to modulate T-cell differentiation and to influence innate immune responses, with described effects on neutrophil and macrophage function and on cytokine production. Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as the active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it has been studied as an immunomodulator affecting T-cell differentiation and innate immune function, and is used in some CIS markets for that purpose. Its plasma half-life is measured in minutes, which constrains how it can be given. Not FDA-approved. Also known as: Glu-Trp, Thymagen. Categories: Experimental. ## Classification - Type: Thymic dipeptide / research - Mechanism class: Thymic Peptide - Development stage: Research only - Regulatory class: Research compound, not FDA-approved ## Mechanism Thymogen is Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as an active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it is reported to modulate T-cell differentiation and to influence innate immune responses, with described effects on neutrophil and macrophage function and on cytokine production. It has been studied as an immunomodulator in infection and as an adjunct in oncology and hepatitis research. As with other short peptides its plasma half-life is very short, which constrains dosing. The supporting literature is largely regional, and it has no FDA-approved use. Targets: Immune cells (proposed). Origin: Synthetic Glu-Trp. ## Properties - Molecular formula: C16H19N3O5 - Molecular weight: 333.34 g/mol - CAS number: 148698-17-5 - Half-life: Not firmly established (small dipeptide) - Studied routes: Intranasal ## Evidence - Evidence level: Clinical Trial Evidence - Highest documented: Controlled human trials - Human trials: 5 - Controlled human trials: 3 - Preclinical sources: 0 - Latest source: 2011 Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess. ### Studies 1. Angiogenesis inhibitor IM862 is ineffective against AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma in a phase III trial, but demonstrates sustained, potent effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2005. 2005. Controlled human trial. Population: HIV-positive adults with Kaposi's sarcoma (n=202; 104 IM862, 98 placebo). Response rate no better than placebo (23% vs 21%); shorter time to progression on IM862 [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15598977/) 2. Results of a randomized study of IM862 nasal solution in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. J Clin Oncol. 2000. 2000. Controlled human trial. Population: Adults with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (n=44). Major responses in 36%; mild, short-lived headache, fatigue, tingling and nausea [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10673512/) 3. Phase II trial of the antiangiogenic agent IM862 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer. 2004. 2004. Human study (early or uncontrolled). Population: Adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (n=25). No objective responses; 8 patients had stable disease; no grade 2 or 3 drug-related toxicity [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15354209/) 4. [Application thymogen for preoperative preparation of elderly patients with tumor processes in abdominal cavity]. Adv Gerontol. 2011. 2011. Controlled human trial. Population: Older adults having surgery for abdominal or retroperitoneal solid tumours (number not stated in the indexed abstract). Fewer post-operative complications and a shorter post-operative period reported [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21957588/) 5. NCT00003773 — IM-862 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer. Human study (early or uncontrolled). Population: Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (n=43). Completed; no results posted [Source](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00003773) ### Registered trials - [NCT00003773](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00003773) ## Safety Side effects: Not well characterized in FDA-standard trials. Risks: Research-only in the US. Human safety basis: Clinical trial reports Key limitations: Not approved by the FDA for any use.. ## Regulatory status Thymogen (Oglufanide) is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use. - FDA status: Not Approved - Availability: Research-Only ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Thymogen (Oglufanide)? Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as the active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it has been studied as an immunomodulator affecting T-cell differentiation and innate immune function, and is used in some CIS markets for that purpose. Its plasma half-life is measured in minutes, which constrains how it can be given. Not FDA-approved. ### How does Thymogen (Oglufanide) work? Thymogen is Glu-Trp, a synthetic dipeptide identified as an active fragment of thymopoietin and also known as oglufanide. Despite its very small size it is reported to modulate T-cell differentiation and to influence innate immune responses, with described effects on neutrophil and macrophage function and on cytokine production. ### Is Thymogen (Oglufanide) FDA approved? No. Thymogen (Oglufanide) is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use. ### What is the half-life of Thymogen (Oglufanide)? Reported half-life for Thymogen (Oglufanide) is Not firmly established (small dipeptide). Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied. ### What peptides are similar to Thymogen (Oglufanide)? Compounds most often compared with Thymogen (Oglufanide) include Thymosin Alpha-1, Thymalin, Thymopentin and Thymulin. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ. ## References - [The First Reciprocal Activities of Chiral Peptide Pharmaceuticals: Thymogen and Thymodepressin, as Examples — Int J Mol Sci, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38732260/) - [Hepatoprotective Effects of Thymogen Analogues in Hydrazine Hepatopathy in Rats — Bull Exp Biol Med, 2025](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40442470/) - [Cy5.5-8-Amino-octanoic acid-Ser-Cys-Pro-Pro-Trp-Gln-Glu-Trp-His-Asn-Phe-Met-Pro-Phe-NH(2), 2004](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23166962/) - [Whey Protein Peptide Pro-Glu-Trp Ameliorates Hyperuricemia by Enhancing Intestinal Uric Acid Excretion, Modulating the Gut Microbiota, and Protecting the Intestinal Barrier in Rats — J Agric Food Chem, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38240209/) - [Reparative and Antioxidant Effects of New Analogues of Immunomodulator Thymogen in Experimental Model of Liver Damage — Bull Exp Biol Med, 2023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37861903/)