Compounds / Ovagen
Ovagen
Also known as: EDL; Glu-Asp-Leu; EDL tripeptide; Khavinson liver and GI bioregulator; cytogen-class short peptide
Primary research focus: Liver and gastrointestinal research (Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator)
Last updated July 2026 · Reviewed against FDA labeling and published research.
What is Ovagen?
Ovagen is a synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Leu, or EDL) from the Khavinson family of short-peptide bioregulators, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is studied preclinically for effects on liver and gastrointestinal tissue. Note the name collision: this tripeptide is entirely unrelated to a similarly named ovine follicle-stimulating hormone fertility product. It is a research compound with no FDA approval and no completed Western clinical trials.
Khavinson short peptides are proposed to cross cell and nuclear membranes and bind specific DNA and chromatin regions, modulating tissue-specific gene expression rather than acting on cell-surface receptors. For Ovagen, the proposed targets are hepatocytes and gastrointestinal epithelium, with reported effects on hepatic detoxification and metabolic gene expression and on mucosal barrier integrity. Structurally, the acidic glutamate and aspartate side chains are proposed to provide charge for electrostatic DNA interaction while the hydrophobic leucine aids membrane transport. This mechanism is class-level, derives largely from a single research program, and has limited independent Western replication; treat it as proposed rather than established.
How it’s supplied
Not an FDA-approved or commercially manufactured medicine. It is sold as a research-grade lyophilized powder (commonly 20 mg vials) for reconstitution, and in some markets as oral or sublingual capsules. Research-grade products are not FDA-reviewed for potency or sterility.
Dosage Chart
Units shown are for a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL), calculated from the vial size and BAC water you select. Always confirm against your prescription and your syringe markings.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 10mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Weeks 3-4 | 25mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Weeks 5-6 | 50mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Weeks 7-8 | 100mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Weeks 9-16 | 150mcg | 1x Daily | — |
- Rotate injection sites to reduce irritation and lipohypertrophy
- Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Do not exceed the recommended dose to try to speed results
Potential Benefits and Side Effects
Effects reported in published research. Not a promise of results, and not medical advice.
- Reported in preclinical research within the Khavinson tradition; not established in Western controlled trials.
- Reported normalization of hepatic gene expression related to detoxification and metabolic function in aging models.
- Reported support of gastrointestinal mucosal barrier integrity under stress.
- Reported reduction of liver fibrosis progression in animal models.
- Proposed tissue-selective gene regulation at physiological concentrations.
- No robust human adverse-effect data are available.
- The Khavinson short-peptide class is reported to have a clean safety profile in Russian use, but this is not established by Western trials for Ovagen specifically.
- Human tolerability and long-term safety are unknown.
Warnings and contraindications
Important safety information. This is not exhaustive — read the full prescribing information and consult your prescriber or pharmacist.
- No FDA-approved labeling exists; the following reflect the compound's status and the limits of its evidence, not established label warnings.
- There are no completed Western human clinical trials of Ovagen; its human safety and efficacy profile is not established.
- The proposed DNA-binding mechanism is class-level and not independently well-replicated outside the originating program.
- Name confusion is a real hazard: an unrelated ovine FSH fertility product is also sold as Ovagen.
- Research-grade material varies in identity and purity.
- Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been studied.
- Not established; no FDA-approved labeling. Precautionary considerations include known hypersensitivity to the peptide.
Reconstitution Steps
How to prepare the lyophilized vial. Confirm specifics with your pharmacist or prescriber.
- Confirm the amount of peptide in the vial and the volume of diluent you intend to use before starting.
- Wash your hands and gather supplies: the lyophilized vial, the diluent (typically bacteriostatic water), an alcohol swab, and a sterile syringe.
- Let the vial and diluent reach room temperature if they were refrigerated or frozen.
- Wipe the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and the diluent vial with a fresh alcohol swab and let them air dry.
- Draw the intended diluent volume into the syringe.
- Insert the needle into the vial and slowly release the diluent down the inside wall rather than directly onto the powder, to avoid foaming.
- Do not shake. Gently swirl or roll the vial until fully dissolved.
- Inspect the solution: it should be clear and colorless with no visible particles. Do not use if cloudy or containing particles.
- Note the resulting concentration (amount divided by diluent volume) so it matches the reconstitution calculator on this page.
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and store as directed under reconstituted storage.
US regulatory status
Classifications are public record but can change. For reference only, not legal advice.
Development: Ovagen is part of the Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator program at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, introduced within the cytogen class of synthetic peptides derived from organ extracts. It is one of two liver-directed members of the family alongside Livagen, with a different sequence and proposed gene-regulatory specificity. Compound-specific published evidence is limited and preclinical, focused on hepatic and gastrointestinal gene expression in aging and stress models; supporting work is largely class-level, including Fedoreyeva et al. (2011) on short-peptide DNA binding and Khavinson's transport studies (Int J Mol Sci 2022) on POT and LAT carrier-mediated uptake of ultrashort peptides. Independent Western replication is sparse, and there is no FDA approval, no public IND, and no registered Western clinical trial.
Notes: Ovagen is not FDA-approved and has no recognized clinical use in the US. It is not on the FDA 503A bulk drug substances list and has no approval or shortage basis for compounding, so it is not eligible for 503A or 503B compounding. It is sold as a research-grade chemical; such products are not FDA-reviewed for safety, potency, or sterility. It is not a controlled substance.
International status
Pharmacokinetics
Storage and handling
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- The name Ovagen is used for two entirely unrelated products: this Khavinson EDL tripeptide, and an ovine (sheep) FSH fertility preparation. They are not the same thing.
- Ovagen (Glu-Asp-Leu) and Livagen (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) are both liver-directed Khavinson peptides but are distinct compounds.
- The evidence base is preclinical and largely Russian, from a single research program, with limited independent replication.
- It is a research compound, not an FDA-approved drug, and research-grade material varies in purity.
Lifestyle Factors
- Khavinson bioregulators are typically studied in short cyclic courses rather than continuous daily use.
- Human lifestyle interactions are unstudied for Ovagen.
References
Related compounds
Important disclaimer
This page is an educational reference, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and not a substitute for your prescriber or pharmacist. Approval and regulatory status varies by compound and can change. Always confirm against current prescribing information and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decision about a medication.