Steven Grinspoon, M.D.
Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
Principal investigator on pivotal tesamorelin RCTs for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved 44-amino acid synthetic GHRH analog modified at the N-terminus with a hexenoyl group to resist DPP-IV degradation. Unlike compounded GHRH analogs, it holds a stable FDA-approved indication for reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy by stimulating natural pulsatile GH release without the continuous receptor saturation risks of long-acting DAC formulations.
Mechanism of action
- GHRH receptor agonist preserving physiologic pulsatility.
- N-terminal modification confers protease resistance and a clinically useful half-life.
- Reduces visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy at the approved indication.
Research highlights
- FDA approval as Egrifta® for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
- Falutz et al. (NEJM, 2007): landmark trial demonstrating visceral fat reduction.
- Grinspoon-led pivotal RCTs at Harvard/MGH supporting registration.