Why tesamorelin is supplied as the acetate, how many counterions a 44-mer carries, and what that does to the mass in the vial

Published 26 October 2026 · REVIVE LAB UAE Research Desk · 5 min read
The GHRH sequence contains several arginines and lysines — basic residues that are protonated at the pH of purification — and each positive charge in the lyophilised solid is balanced by a counterion. Pharmaceutical tesamorelin is the acetate salt, because acetate is a normal body metabolite and because trifluoroacetate, the counterion left by reversed-phase purification, is replaced for approved products. At 59 daltons each, acetate counterions add a few per cent to the mass of a 5,136-dalton peptide; trifluoroacetate at 113 daltons would add roughly twice that. Net peptide content on a certificate is the peptide fraction of gross mass after counterion and water are accounted for.

The counterion count

At acidic pH all arginines, lysines and the amino terminus are protonated and the acidic residues — aspartates and glutamates — are largely neutral, so the peptide carries close to its maximum positive charge and the maximum number of counterions. The acyl group on tyrosine 1 removes the amino-terminal charge, so tesamorelin carries one counterion fewer than native GHRH would. The exact count depends on the sequence and the pH of the final step.

Acetate exchange is done by ion-exchange chromatography or by repeated lyophilisation from dilute acetic acid.

Why acetate

Trifluoroacetate is not naturally occurring, can affect cell behaviour at high concentration, and is avoided in pharmaceutical peptides. Acetate is benign and volatile enough to be controlled. Research-grade peptides are often supplied as trifluoroacetate salts because the exchange is an additional step; a certificate states which. The catalogue product states its counterion in the batch documentation.

The counterion also affects solubility and hygroscopicity of the solid.

On the label and certificate

The 20 mg on the pack is gross mass of the lyophilised salt. Net peptide content, typically between 80 and 90 per cent for a peptide of this size, is on the certificate. Neither figure is a quantity for use.

Tesamorelin is supplied by REVIVE LAB UAE for laboratory research use only, with identity by mass spectrometry and purity by HPLC for the batch. It is not for human or veterinary use, and no dosing, administration or protocol guidance is provided.

What it costs

FormatStrengthPriceAvailability
Tesamorelin Pack20 mgAED 1010In stock

Delivery is AED 40 flat and free on orders over AED 700. Payment is cash on delivery anywhere in the UAE, or USDT (TRC20) in advance, which takes 5% off the order total.

Frequently asked

The counterion count?

At acidic pH all arginines, lysines and the amino terminus are protonated and the acidic residues — aspartates and glutamates — are largely neutral, so the peptide carries close to its maximum positive charge and the maximum number of counterions. The acyl group on tyrosine 1 removes the amino-terminal charge, so tesamorelin carries one counterion fewer than native GHRH would. The exact count depends on the sequence and the pH of the final step.

Does REVIVE LAB UAE provide dosing guidance?

No. REVIVE LAB UAE supplies research materials and provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Every product is sold for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

How fast is delivery in the UAE?

Stock is held in Dubai. An order confirmed before 4 PM Dubai time is dispatched the same working day, reaching Dubai and Abu Dhabi the same day and the remaining emirates within 24 hours. Delivery is AED 40 flat and free over AED 700.

Tesamorelin Pack — in stock, dispatched from Dubai
HPLC-verified, lot certificate on every carton, 24-hour delivery nationwide. Browse the catalogue → All peptides UAE

Related reading

Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. REVIVE LAB UAE provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance.