Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Compound monograph · Neuroactive peptides

Semax — compound monograph

Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue heptapeptide. Approved. The Institute assesses 2 outcomes for this compound and grades the strongest at low certainty.

Document identifier
CEI-MN-036
Series
Compound monograph
Version
1.0
Published
19 Apr 2026
Last reviewed
19 Apr 2026
Next review
19 Apr 2028
Identifier
10.71829/cei.mono.36
Certainty
Low
Cycle
2026 Q2

§1Identification and status

§1.1Nomenclature

Preferred name
Semax
Compound class
Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue heptapeptide
Assessment series
Neuroactive peptides
Synonyms and codes
Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro · ACTH(4-7)-Pro-Gly-Pro · heptapeptide Semax
Route as evaluated
Intranasal in the approved Russian presentations; also supplied for subcutaneous use

§1.2Chemistry

Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]

CAS registry number
80714-61-0
Molecular formula
C37H51N9O10S
Average mass
813.93
Monoisotopic mass
813.35
ATC classification
not assigned

§1.3Sequence and structural notes

H-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-OH

A heptapeptide comprising residues 4 to 7 of adrenocorticotropic hormone with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension. The tripeptide extension confers marked resistance to enzymatic degradation and abolishes the corticotropic activity of the parent fragment, leaving the reported neurotropic activity.

§1.4Assessment status

The Institute assesses Semax across 2 indications and grades the strongest of them at low certainty. Holds a marketing authorisation for at least one indication in at least one jurisdiction.

Distribution of certainty ratingsShare of assessed outcomes at each certainty level.2assessed outcomes
HighModerateLowVery low
Figure 1. Distribution of certainty ratings across the 2 outcomes the Institute assesses for Semax. A rating attaches to a specific population, comparator and outcome and does not transfer between them.

Table 1. Assessed outcomes for Semax, ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.

IndicationEffect as recordedCertaintyTrials
Cognitive performance and neuroprotectionRussian clinical studies report functional improvement after ischaemic stroke and in cognitive disordersVery low2
Sleep initiation and maintenance disordersNo assessable randomised evidence identifiedVery low0
Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table.

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.