Favorable PCAC vote

MOTS-c

Also known as MOTS-c free base, MOTS-c acetate

LAST VERIFIEDAug 12, 2026Against linked primary sources
PL
WHAT THIS MEANS NOWNo final legal change
FDA REVIEW STATUSCommittee favored
HUMAN STUDIESNone identified by FDA
WHAT COMES NEXTFDA action
FDA scientific review
Meeting announced
03Committee vote
04Final FDA decision
FDA approved?No
FDA-approved indicationNone
Compounding-list statusNot on the final 503A Bulks List; FDA action pending
Advisory-committee statusFavorable advisory recommendation — July 2026
Final FDA decisionNo final FDA action identified
WHY IT GETS ATTENTION

As a mitochondrial-derived peptide, MOTS-c sits at the intersection of metabolism, exercise, aging, and body-composition interest.

Reality check

FDA reported no identified human exposure data for the drug products it reviewed for obesity and osteoporosis.

AT A GLANCE

What a visitor should know.

PUBLIC INTERESTRisingHow much attention this peptide is receiving
HUMAN STUDIESNo identified human exposureAnimal and laboratory results are kept separate
EVIDENCE GAPWideHow far public interest has moved beyond human evidence
NEW EVIDENCEQuietNo post-briefing change in human-evidence classification has been verified in Peplyst's monitored source set.
Technical details: aliases, tracked claims, and data record
MOST RECENT FDA UPDATE

PCAC gave a favorable advisory recommendation

The committee recommended MOTS-c-related bulk drug substances for possible inclusion on the 503A Bulks List.

What this tells us

FDA received advice from its expert compounding committee.

What it does not tell us

The compound was not FDA-approved, and the vote alone did not add it to the final 503A Bulks List.

WHAT COMES NEXTFDA action

FDA must decide whether and how to act on the committee recommendation.

Read the FDA source
REGULATORY HISTORY

How the FDA record developed.

This timeline separates early nominations and scientific reviews from committee votes and final FDA decisions.

July 23, 2026
PCAC vote

PCAC gave a favorable advisory recommendation

The committee recommended MOTS-c-related bulk drug substances for possible inclusion on the 503A Bulks List.

Read the source ↗
May 2026
FDA review

FDA published its scientific briefing

FDA released its evaluation of MOTS-c-related bulk drug substances for the committee meeting.

Read the source ↗
2015
Compounding nomination

MOTS-c entered FDA's 503A nomination record

MOTS-c was nominated for several metabolic, musculoskeletal, and longevity-related uses. The nomination was later withdrawn, and FDA continued the evaluation on its own initiative.

Read the source ↗
STUDIES AND EVIDENCE

What has actually been studied?

Human studies appear on the left. Animal, cell, and laboratory studies appear on the right because they cannot establish that a treatment works in people.

H
Human evidenceStudies or observations involving people
FDA evidence review

FDA reported no identified human exposure data for drug products containing MOTS-c.

Read the FDA review
Human exercise-observation study (2021)

Researchers measured the body's own MOTS-c before and after exercise. Participants were not treated with MOTS-c, so the study does not establish the effects or safety of taking it as a drug.

Read the study on PubMed
P
Preclinical evidenceAnimal, cell, or laboratory research
Laboratory and animal literature

Preclinical findings were reviewed separately and do not establish clinical benefit in people.

Read the FDA review
SAFETY & UNCERTAINTY

Important unknowns.

  • FDA reported no identified human exposure data for the drug products it reviewed.
  • FDA identified uncertainty around active-ingredient characterization, peptide-related impurities, or aggregation.
  • Limited evidence of harm should not be interpreted as evidence of safety.

These are evidence and regulatory uncertainties, not an individualized assessment of whether a treatment is appropriate.

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

Read the original sources.