# What is BPC-157? | Peps for Pups

> What BPC-157 is, where the name comes from, and its regulatory status in the UK, explained for dog owners.

Source: https://pepsforpups.co.uk/learn/what-is-bpc-157
Publisher: Peps for Pups (https://pepsforpups.co.uk)
Last updated: 2026-11-13

BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide made of fifteen amino acids. It is one of the most talked about research peptides, and one of the most misunderstood.

## The short version

- It is a laboratory-made chain of fifteen amino acids.
- Its sequence was derived from a protein found in gastric juice.
- It has been studied mainly in rodents.
- It is not an authorised medicine for people or animals in the UK.

## Where the name comes from

BPC stands for Body Protection Compound. The number refers to the specific fragment researchers isolated and went on to study. You will sometimes see it written as BPC 157 or called pentadecapeptide BPC 157.

## What it looks like as a product

Research-grade BPC-157 is normally supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) white powder in a sealed glass vial. Freeze drying removes water so the peptide stays stable in storage. See [Storing lyophilised peptides](/learn/storing-lyophilised-peptides).

## Its status in the UK

BPC-157 has no marketing authorisation from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. That means it has not been through the approval process that tests whether a medicine is safe and effective for a stated use.

It is sold in the UK as a research compound. We sell it on that basis only. It is not for human or animal consumption, and we do not provide dosing advice. More in [Research use only: what it means](/learn/research-use-only-uk).

It is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, which matters to anyone involved in regulated sport.

## What to read next

[Here's what the studies looked at](/learn/bpc-157-research-explained) walks through the published research and its limits.

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BPC-157 is supplied for research use only. It is not a veterinary medicine and is not for human or animal consumption.