Research Primer / BPC-157
What is BPC-157?
Published 2025-02-05 · Lumera Labs Editorial · Canada
A plain-English primer on the 15-amino-acid partial sequence that has become a staple of musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal research, written for Canadian lab teams sourcing reference standards for the first time.
Origin and sequence
BPC-157 is the shorthand for a synthetic peptide derived from a larger protein known as Body Protection Compound, originally identified in human gastric juice. The synthetic analog used in research is a 15-amino-acid sequence, small enough to manufacture via solid-phase peptide synthesis at commercial scale, and stable enough to lyophilize and ship under ~4 days shipping.
The molecule is a reference standard: a known, pure sample that laboratories use to calibrate assays, run comparative experiments, and validate analytical methods. It is not a therapeutic product.
How to evaluate a supplier
When sourcing BPC-157 for laboratory research in Canada, three documents matter more than the price:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA): per-lot HPLC purity, mass-spec identity, and LAL endotoxin assay. The minimum standard is ≥99% HPLC purity for reference work.
- Chain of custody: where was it synthesized, which lot, what date. A supplier that can't answer those questions cannot give you reproducible data.
- Storage and shipping conditions: lyophilized peptides are stable for years. In transit, they need and temperature logging. Ambient shipping degrades potency.
Lumera Labs' approach
Every BPC-157 lot at Lumera Labs is synthesized at a contract laboratory and independently tested by Testides for HPLC-UV purity and content, and stored until shipment. The COA is issued per lot and matched to the vial label. ~4 days shipping is standard across Canada with 48-hour delivery.
All products are sold strictly as laboratory reference standards. They are not approved drugs and are not intended for therapeutic use.
Common questions
Is BPC-157 legal to purchase in Canada for research?
BPC-157 is not an approved drug in Canada. It may be sold as a research reference standard for laboratory research only. It cannot be marketed as a therapeutic drug. Lumera Labs requires a research-use declaration on every order.
What purity should I look for?
For research reference work, ≥99% HPLC purity is the standard. Anything lower introduces measurable analytical noise. Lumera Labs publishes HPLC chromatograms on every lot COA.
Shelf life and storage?
Lyophilized BPC-157 is stable for 24+ months in sealed, inert-gas-flushed vials. Post-handling stability is outside the scope of a laboratory reference standard. Reference your own experimental protocol and internal SOPs.