--- title: "Semax | PepTracker Pro" url: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/semax description: "A synthetic peptide derived from ACTH, studied for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects." lang: en --- Skip to main content **Educational information only.** This site does not provide medical advice. Read full disclaimer (https://peptrackerpro.com/disclaimer) **Research-only content.** This page is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Read full disclaimer → (https://peptrackerpro.com/research-disclaimer) # Semax Medium Evidence A synthetic peptide derived from ACTH, studied for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects. Aliases ACTH(4-7)-PGP +1 more Evidence Medium Evidence Last Updated 2026-06-22 Reading Time 2 min ## What It Is Semax is a heptapeptide, a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10), developed in Russia. It has been studied for cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, and its effects on BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Registered as a medication in Russia and several CIS countries, it is used for cognitive disorders, stroke recovery, and optic nerve diseases. In 2026, laboratory programs are examining how Semax interacts at the receptor level — particularly within the BDNF-TrkB signaling system — with improved analytical instrumentation and better understanding of receptor pharmacology making preclinical research more precise and reproducible. Advances in nasal delivery mechanisms have also improved bioavailability studies. Semax is scheduled for PCAC review on July 24, 2026, for potential inclusion on the FDA 503A Bulks List, which would allow legal compounding by U.S. pharmacies with a prescription. On February 27, 2026, HHS announced Semax would move from Category 2 (banned from compounding) back to Category 1 (legal through compounding pharmacies with a prescription). Also known as: ACTH(4-7)-PGP, Semax 1% ## Regulatory Status Category 1 — Bulk Compounding (PCAC review July 24, 2026) Moved from Category 2 back to Category 1 per HHS announcement February 27, 2026. FDA PCAC will review Semax (free base and acetate) on July 24, 2026 for potential 503A Bulks List inclusion. Public comment docket FDA-2025-N-6895 open until July 22, 2026. Effective: February 2026 View FDA Source (https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/july-23-24-2026-meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee-07232026) ## Evidence Snapshot Medium Evidence Low Medium High ## Commonly Discussed Benefits Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Mood: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/mood Recovery: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/recovery Researching Semax? Track it, set reminders, and keep notes in the free app. Track in App (https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=semax) ## Safety & Cautions - Approved in Russia/Ukraine but not FDA-approved - PCAC review scheduled July 24, 2026 for potential 503A Bulks List addition; proposed indications include cerebral ischemia, migraine, and trigeminal neuralgia - Western clinical trial data is limited - May affect hormone levels via ACTH pathway ## Comparisons See how Semax compares to related peptides: Semax vs Cerebrolysin: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-cerebrolysin Semax vs Davunetide: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-davunetide Semax vs Dihexa: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-dihexa Semax vs DSIP: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-dsip Semax vs P21: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-p21 Semax vs Selank: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-selank Semax vs Trontinemab: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare/semax-vs-trontinemab ## Calculator Tools Use our research tools to explore dosing and reconstitution data: Reconstitution Calculator: https://peptrackerpro.com/calculators ## Citations 1. [1] Ashmarin IP. et al. — Semax: a regulatory peptide analogue. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2007 PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) ### Keep researching in the app - Log Semax to your private tracker - Set a dosing reminder - Compare it side-by-side with your stack Open PepTracker Pro Free: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=semax Browse more peptides: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides ## Related Peptides ### Cerebrolysin Medium Evidence A porcine brain-derived peptide mixture approved in some countries for stroke recovery and neurodegenerative conditions. Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Recovery: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/recovery View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/cerebrolysin \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=cerebrolysin Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=cerebrolysin ### Davunetide Low Evidence An eight-amino-acid ADNP-derived peptide studied for microtubule stabilization, tau-related neuroprotection, and rare ADNP syndrome. Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/davunetide \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=davunetide Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=davunetide ### Dihexa Low Evidence A hexapeptide analog studied for cognitive enhancement via hepatocyte growth factor pathway activation. Cognition: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition Neuroprotection: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection Anti-Aging: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/anti-aging View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/dihexa \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=dihexa Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=dihexa ### DSIP Low Evidence A neuropeptide studied for its role in sleep regulation and stress modulation. Sleep: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/sleep Mood: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/mood Anxiety Relief: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/anxiety-relief Pain Relief: https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/pain-relief View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/dsip \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=dsip Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=dsip ### P21 Medium Evidence An 11-amino-acid CNTF-derived peptide studied for its ability to upregulate BDNF expression and promote neurogenesis in cognitive decline models. View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/p21 \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=p21 Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=p21 ### Selank Medium Evidence A synthetic peptide analog of tuftsin studied for anxiolytic and nootropic properties. Anxiety Relief (https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/anxiety-relief)Mood (https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/mood)Cognition (https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/cognition)Neuroprotection (https://peptrackerpro.com/benefits/neuroprotection)+1 more View Details: https://peptrackerpro.com/peptides/selank \+ Compare: https://peptrackerpro.com/compare?select=selank Track in App: https://app.peptrackerpro.com/?add=selank ### Trontinemab Medium Evidence An investigational, brain-penetrant anti-amyloid antibody from Roche/Genentech that uses the proprietary 'Brainshuttle' transferrin-receptor delivery system to reach the brain far more efficiently than conventional antibodies. Trontinemab (development codes RG6102 / RO7126209) is a 2+1 bispecific molecule: it fuses the amyloid-beta-clearing antibody gantenerumab to a fragment that grabs transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) on blood-brain-barrier cells, hitching a ride into the brain via the same receptor-mediated transport that carries iron. That shuttle lets a low intravenous dose clear amyloid plaques rapidly and deeply while triggering strikingly little of the brain swelling and micro-bleeding (ARIA) that limits approved anti-amyloid drugs. In the Phase Ib/IIa Brainshuttle AD study (NCT04639050), the 3.6 mg/kg dose removed roughly 107 centiloids of amyloid after 28 weeks, driving about 91-92% of participants below the amyloid-positivity threshold (24 centiloids) - with ARIA-E seen in fewer than 5% of participants, well below the ~13% reported for lecanemab and ~24% for donanemab. On the strength of those data, Roche launched two identical pivotal Phase 3 trials - TRONTIER 1 and TRONTIER 2 - in early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (about 1,600 patients across 18 countries, begun in 2025), and at the 2026 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in London it unveiled PrevenTRON, a Phase 3 prevention trial in 1,600 cognitively unimpaired people at high risk (elevated plasma p-tau217). Trontinemab is a prescription-stage investigational biologic - it is not approved anywhere and is not a supplement or research chemical. 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