What is the difference between Cortagen and Epithalon?

Cortagen: Brain cortex-derived tetrapeptide that modulates gene expression in neural and cardiac tissue through chromatin regulatory mechanisms; Epithalon: Epithalon is believed to activate telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, with several in vitro and animal studies reporting telomere elongation.

Is Cortagen FDA approved?

Cortagen is not evaluated or approved by the FDA. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

Is Epithalon FDA approved?

Epithalon is the subject of a favorable FDA advisory committee vote but not FDA approved, and its legal status for compounding is unchanged. It is discussed for research and educational purposes only, not as medical guidance.

How is Cortagen administered in research settings?

In research settings, Cortagen is typically administered via the oral or subcutaneous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Epithalon administered in research settings?

In research settings, Epithalon is typically administered via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Cortagen vs Epithalon

Peptide Comparison

Cortagen vs Epithalon

Name: Cortagen vs Epithalon — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Both are Longevity & Cellular peptides.

Cortagen

vascular peptide bioregulator

LongevityNot EvaluatedResearch Only

1 providers listed

Full Cortagen profile →

Epithalon

Epitalon

LongevityAdvisory Vote: FavorableResearch Only

Half-life: 30–60 minutes

176 providers listed

Full Epithalon profile →

Bottom line

Cortagen has published research citations on file; Epithalon does not yet — the main evidence gap between them.

Quick Verdict

Cortagen

Half-life

—

Epithalon

Half-life

30–60 minutes

Which One Should You Choose?

Your goal	Better option
Has published research citations	Cortagen
Oral administration option	Cortagen
More provider options (1 vs 176)	Epithalon

Research summary only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before making any decisions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Cortagen

Epithalon

Mechanism Family

Longevity & Cellular

Half-life

—

30–60 minutes

FDA Status

not evaluated

advisory committee recommended

Admin Routes

oral, subcutaneous

subcutaneous, intravenous

Availability

Research Only

Providers

1 listed

176 listed

FDA Update

—

Jul 2026

Avail. Notes

—

Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) from Khavinson Institute, Russia. Telomerase activator in research. No FDA approval, no NDA or IND. Not on any FDA list. Research chemical.

Research Evidence

Cortagen

Review · 2 key studies · most recent 2021

Epithalon

No citations on file

Research Citations

Cortagen

Animal2004 · Neuroendocrinology Letters

The effect of short peptides on the expression of genes in the cardiac muscle of old male rats

Review2021 · Molecules

Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review

Epithalon

No citations on file.

About Cortagen

Brain cortex-derived tetrapeptide that modulates gene expression in neural and cardiac tissue through chromatin regulatory mechanisms; microarray analysis demonstrates broad transcriptional effects following administration.

Research Areas

neuroprotectiongene expression regulationlongevityanti-aging

About Epithalon

Epithalon is believed to activate telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, with several in vitro and animal studies reporting telomere elongation. It also appears to regulate the expression of p53 and other cell-cycle control genes, modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis via pineal gland activity, and upregulate antioxidant defences including superoxide dismutase and catalase.

Research Areas

telomerase activation and telomere elongation in cell researchmelatonin pathway regulation via pineal gland bioregulator mechanismantioxidant and anti-aging effects (Khavinson-class tetrapeptide)subcutaneous dosing — 10–20 injection courses studied in longevity research

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Cortagen

No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.

Epithalon

No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.

Used Together?

Epithalon

GHK-Cu
Research suggests Epithalon and GHK-Cu may produce complementary longevity-associated effects when combined. Epithalon is studied for telomere maintenance and pineal function, while GHK-Cu is studied for antioxidant gene expression and tissue remodeling — different mechanisms in aging research.

Price (per mg)

Cortagen

Not enough vendor pricing yet.

Epithalon

$3.50/mg

$2.55 – $4.18 range

51 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Cortagen

1 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Epithalon

176 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

More Longevity & Cellular Comparisons

Browse all peptides →

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Cortagen vs Epithalon — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 12, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/cortagen/epithalon

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