Compounds / Vesugen
Vesugen
Also known as: KED; Lys-Glu-Asp; KED tripeptide; Khavinson vascular bioregulator; vascular endothelium peptide
Primary research focus: Vascular and endothelial research (Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator)
Last updated July 2026 · Reviewed against FDA labeling and published research.
What is Vesugen?
Vesugen is a synthetic tripeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp, or KED) from the Khavinson family of short-peptide bioregulators, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is the vascular-directed member of the family, studied preclinically for effects on vascular endothelium and microcirculation, and it is one of the three compounds (with Epitalon and Vilon) in the Khavinson model of aging as parallel cellular, immune, and vascular decline. 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 sequences, modulating tissue-specific gene expression rather than acting through cell-surface receptors. This mechanism is class-level, derives largely from a single research program, and has limited independent Western replication; treat it as a working hypothesis rather than established fact. For Vesugen, the proposed activity is in vascular endothelial cells, with reported effects on gene expression relevant to endothelial function, nitric oxide signaling, and vascular wall integrity. Within the Khavinson framework it is positioned as addressing the vascular track of aging, complementing pineal/telomere (Epitalon) and immune (Vilon) targets.
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0.5mg | 1x Daily | — |
| Week 2 | 1mg | 1x Daily | — |
| Week 3 | 1.5mg | 1x Daily | — |
| Week 4+ | 2mg | 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 support of vascular endothelial function and vascular wall integrity in preclinical models.
- Reported effects on microcirculation, including cerebral microcirculation in the Khavinson literature.
- Proposed normalization of endothelial gene expression in aging.
- Positioned within the Khavinson model as addressing the vascular component of aging.
- 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 Vesugen 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 Vesugen; 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.
- Cardiovascular disease is serious and has well-established evidence-based treatments; symptoms warrant medical evaluation rather than self-treatment with a research compound.
- Research-grade material varies in identity and purity, and Vesugen's molecular weight is nearly identical to that of Epitalon, so mass measurement alone cannot reliably distinguish them.
- 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: Vesugen is the vascular-directed member of the Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator family from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It occupies a structurally central position: the KED tripeptide is the shared core that Testagen (KEDG), Livagen (KEDA), and Prostamax (KEDP) extend, and that Vilon (KE) truncates. Within the Khavinson model it represents the vascular track of aging alongside Epitalon (cellular/telomere) and Vilon (immune), and it is commonly combined with them in Russian longevity clinic protocols. Compound-specific published evidence is limited and preclinical, with supporting material largely class-level (peptide-DNA binding work and gene-expression reviews from the originating group). Independent Western replication is sparse. There is no FDA approval, no public IND, and no registered Western clinical trial.
Notes: Vesugen 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.
- Vesugen (KED) has almost the same molecular weight as Epitalon (approximately 390 Da for both) despite being a different compound with a different formula; mass alone cannot distinguish them, so verify formula and sequence on the certificate of analysis.
- KED is the structural core of the family: Testagen (KEDG), Livagen (KEDA), and Prostamax (KEDP) all extend it by one residue.
- The evidence base is preclinical and largely Russian, from a single research program, with limited independent replication.
- It is commonly stacked with Epitalon and Vilon in Russian longevity protocols; that combination is not clinically validated in the West.
- Cardiovascular symptoms warrant clinical evaluation, not self-directed research compounds.
Lifestyle Factors
- Khavinson bioregulators are typically studied in short cyclic courses, often seasonally, rather than continuous daily use.
- Human lifestyle interactions are unstudied for Vesugen.
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.