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Drug

Ghrelin

In clinical development
Emerging researchLate-stage developmentRising momentum

Also known as Ghrelin (human), Ghrelin human, Human ghrelin, Lenomorelin.

RxNorm2107328ChEMBLCHEMBL500468UNIIUXG268Q86R
11
Research papers
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Unacylated Ghrelin to Improve Functioning in PAD: The GIFT Trial Phase II

Clinical trial2026-06-01Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

GLP-1 and ghrelin inversely regulate insulin secretion and action in pancreatic islets, vagal afferents, and hypothalamus for controlling glycemia and feeding.

Research2025-04-16American journal of physiology. Cell physiology

Multicentre Randomized Trial of Ghrelin in Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy. A Randomized Phase 2 Trial

Clinical trial2024-12-31Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

The Effects of Ghrelin Administration on Motivation and Resting Energy Expenditure

Clinical trial2024-12-20Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

The glucagon-like peptide-1 and other endocrine responses to alcohol ingestion in women with versus without metabolic surgery.

Research2024-10-01Addiction biology

Will Work for Reward: Effects of Ghrelin Administration on Dopamine and Effort

Clinical trial2024-08-06Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation.

Research2024-07-10Nature communications

Ghrelin (OXE--103) for Acute Concussion Management

Clinical trial2024-05-21Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Effect of Ghrelin on Glucose Metabolism After Bariatric Surgery

Clinical trial2023-01-30Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

Effect of Ghrelin on Nutritional and Financial Decision-Making

Clinical trial2022-02-01Withdrawn · ClinicalTrials.gov

Caloric restriction in female reproduction: is it beneficial or detrimental?

Research2021-01-04Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E

Ghrelin Plus Strength Training in Frail Elderly Study

Clinical trial2019-12-11Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Ghrelin
Aliases & brands
Ghrelin (human)Ghrelin humanHuman ghrelinLenomorelin
RxNorm CUI
2107328
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL500468
UNII
UXG268Q86R

Clinical trials

21 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
21
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2025
7
Late-stage (III+)
18
Completed
3
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 21
Phase 15Phase 1 / 23Phase 26Phase 31Phase N / A6

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Ghrelin - A Possible Opportunity to Improve Appetite, Nutritional State, Metabolic Integrity and Physical Functioning in Cancer Patients With Progressive Weight Loss

CompletedPH IIIGöteborg Universityn=302008

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Unacylated Ghrelin to Improve Functioning in PAD: The GIFT Trial Phase II

CompletedPH IINorthwestern Universityn=252025

The Effects of Ghrelin Administration on Motivation and Resting Energy Expenditure

CompletedN/AUniversity Hospital Tuebingenn=242024

Will Work for Reward: Effects of Ghrelin Administration on Dopamine and Effort

CompletedPH I/IIUniversity Hospital Tuebingenn=262024

Effect of Ghrelin on Glucose Metabolism After Bariatric Surgery

CompletedPH IVanderbilt University Medical Centern=702023

Ghrelin (OXE--103) for Acute Concussion Management

CompletedPH IIMichael Rippeen=232022

Effect of Preprandial Ghrelin on Postprandial Glucose Tolerance

CompletedPH IJenny Tong, MD, MPHn=802018

Research activity

11 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20012025
Most influential

Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index.

PLoS medicine · 2004 · 1,491 cites

Plasma ghrelin levels after diet-induced weight loss or gastric bypass surgery.

The New England journal of medicine · 2002 · 1,427 cites

Circulating ghrelin levels are decreased in human obesity.

Diabetes · 2001 · 1,296 cites

The role of leptin and ghrelin in the regulation of food intake and body weight in humans: a review.

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2007 · 857 cites

Gastrointestinal regulation of food intake.

The Journal of clinical investigation · 2007 · 763 cites

Ghrelin modulates the activity and synaptic input organization of midbrain dopamine neurons while promoting appetite.

The Journal of clinical investigation · 2006 · 704 cites
Recent papers

GLP-1 and ghrelin inversely regulate insulin secretion and action in pancreatic islets, vagal afferents, and hypothalamus for controlling glycemia and feeding.

American journal of physiology. Cell physiology · 2025 · 7 cites

The glucagon-like peptide-1 and other endocrine responses to alcohol ingestion in women with versus without metabolic surgery.

Addiction biology · 2024 · 17 cites

Hypothalamic hormone deficiency enables physiological anorexia in ground squirrels during hibernation.

Nature communications · 2024 · 10 cites

Caloric restriction in female reproduction: is it beneficial or detrimental?

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E · 2021 · 30 cites

Intravenous ghrelin administration increases alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent heavy drinkers: a preliminary investigation.

Biological psychiatry · 2014 · 138 cites

The role of leptin and ghrelin in the regulation of food intake and body weight in humans: a review.

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2007 · 857 cites
Major research themes8
Ghrelin3Blood Glucose2Glucagon-Like Peptide 12Hypothalamus2Insulin2Peptide Hormones2Alcohol Drinking1Anorexia1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • The Journal of clinical investigation2
  • Addiction biology1
  • American journal of physiology. Cell physiology1
  • Biological psychiatry1
  • Diabetes1
  • Nature communications1
Leading researchers
  • Cummings DE2
  • Horvath TL2
  • Leggio L2
  • Shanabrough M2
  • Abizaid A1
  • Andrews ZB1
  • Austin D1
  • Bagriantsev SN1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Yale University School of Medicine2
  • Basic Medical College1
  • Basque Foundation for Science1
  • Carle Foundation Hospital1
  • Carle Illinois College of Medicine1
  • Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies1

Related diseases

2 conditions

Regulator-approved indications and conditions co-mentioned with this drug across the research literature. Number shows shared papers.

Active research areas
Obesity4Body Weight2

Related drugs

3 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Insulin

Studied across 5 of the same disease areas as Ghrelin in the shared literature.

5 shared diseases5 shared papers
Ethanol

Studied across 2 of the same disease areas as Ghrelin in the shared literature.

2 shared diseases1 shared paper
Dopamine

Frequently co-studied with Ghrelin in the research literature.

1 shared paper
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials