Head to head
Melanotan I against Dersimelagon
An injected MC1R agonist against an oral one, for the same rare light-sensitivity disorder. Dersimelagon met its phase 3 endpoint in erythropoietic protoporphyria in January 2026, which makes this a comparison between two regulated products rather than between a drug and a grey-market peptide.
Column A
Melanotan IAfamelanotide (Melanotan I)
An FDA-approved melanocortin agonist that increases skin pigmentation to protect people with a rare light-sensitivity disorder.
Column B
DersimelagonDersimelagon (MT-7117)
An oral selective MC1R agonist, a small-molecule cousin of afamelanotide, that met its Phase 3 endpoint in the light-sensitivity disorder erythropoietic protoporphyria in January 2026.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | Melanotan I | Dersimelagon |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Melanocortin | Melanocortin |
| FDA status | FDA-approved (Scenesse) for erythropoietic protoporphyria | Investigational; Phase 3 met primary endpoint (Fast Track, Orphan) |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes (implant provides sustained release) | Once-daily oral dosing |
| Molecular weight | 1,646.9 Da | 675.8 Da |
| Mechanism | Agonizes the melanocortin-1 receptor to stimulate eumelanin production, increasing photoprotective skin pigmentation. | Selective MC1R agonism stimulating eumelanin production in the skin. |
| Human studies cited | 2 | 2 |
| Legal status, US | FDA-approved for a specific indication, prescription only | Investigational, not approved |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Melanotan I and Dersimelagon?
Melanotan I: An FDA-approved melanocortin agonist that increases skin pigmentation to protect people with a rare light-sensitivity disorder. Dersimelagon: An oral selective MC1R agonist, a small-molecule cousin of afamelanotide, that met its Phase 3 endpoint in the light-sensitivity disorder erythropoietic protoporphyria in January 2026.
Which has stronger research evidence, Melanotan I or Dersimelagon?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 2 of the 2 studies cited on the Melanotan I profile were human work, against 2 of 2 for Dersimelagon. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are Melanotan I and Dersimelagon FDA-approved?
Melanotan I: FDA-approved (Scenesse) for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Dersimelagon: Investigational; Phase 3 met primary endpoint (Fast Track, Orphan).
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.