VIP Peptide (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Aviptadil) | Research Grade

VIP: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide for Research Use

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide first synthesized in 1974, a member of the secretin/glucagon superfamily. It signals through the class B G-protein-coupled receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2, raising cAMP in target cells. Published physiology spans smooth muscle relaxation, intestinal water and electrolyte secretion, circadian signaling, immune modulation, and a notable concentration in the lung, where 70% of VPAC receptor binding sits on alveolar type II cells. That alveolar biology put VIP, as the drug candidate aviptadil, into randomized controlled trials in critical COVID-19 respiratory failure. LiveWell supplies it as a 10 mg lyophilized vial strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only.

Chemical Information

• Name: VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide, aviptadil)
• CAS Number: 37221-79-7
• Type: Endogenous-sequence neuropeptide, synthetic (research grade)
• Length: 28 amino acids; human and porcine sequences are identical
• Molecular weight: approximately 3326 g/mol
• Mechanism: VPAC1 and VPAC2 class B GPCR agonist, cAMP elevation; surfactant upregulation and IL-6/TNF inhibition reported on alveolar type II cells
• Vial size: 10 mg lyophilized powder
• Purity: ≥99% (HPLC, third-party tested)

Why Researchers Study VIP

1. Two-receptor neuropeptide pharmacology. VIP and PACAP share VPAC1/VPAC2, and separating those receptor contributions is an active field with implications from circadian biology to immunology.

2. Alveolar biology. The concentration of VPAC receptors on alveolar type II cells, the surfactant factory of the lung, made VIP the basis of the aviptadil program and keeps it central in lung epithelium research.

3. A complete randomized trial record. Unusually for a research peptide, VIP has two modern RCTs published: the 196-patient 60-day trial in Crit Care Med (2022) and the 461-patient NIH TESICO trial in Lancet Respir Med (2023), giving researchers both positive secondary signals and a clean futility result to study.

4. Gut motility models. VIP knockout mice show intestinal dysfunction modeling ileus and Hirschsprung-like phenotypes, anchoring the peptide’s original gastrointestinal literature.

Published Clinical Literature (Research Reference)

For context only. These are findings from the published aviptadil clinical program and academic laboratories. These are results cited from peer-reviewed sources; they are not claims about LiveWell’s research-grade material.

• Original synthesis (J Am Chem Soc, 1974): Bodanszky reports the first chemical synthesis of VIP.
• Knockout physiology (Peptides, 2007): VIP-null mice show intestinal ileus and Hirschsprung-like dysfunction.
• 60-day RCT, critical COVID-19 (Crit Care Med, 2022): 196 patients; primary endpoint not met (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.86 to 3.11) but two-fold odds of 60-day survival reported (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.9, p = 0.035) with reduced IL-6 by day 3.
• TESICO, NIH trial (Lancet Respir Med, 2023): 461 patients; stopped for futility, OR 1.11 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.55), 90-day mortality 38% versus 36%.
• Regulatory: aviptadil is investigational in the US for pulmonary indications (Fast Track and expanded access during COVID-19, never approved); approved in parts of Europe only in a fixed combination with phentolamine (Invicorp) for a non-pulmonary indication.

Storage & Handling

• Store lyophilized vials refrigerated at 2 to 8°C, protected from light and heat
• Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; reconstituted material has a shorter storage window
• Follow your laboratory’s standard peptide handling protocol

⚠️ Disclaimer: VIP research peptide is intended strictly for laboratory research and in-vitro use only. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement. This product has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not for human or veterinary use. No therapeutic, weight-management or metabolic-health claims are made or implied.

Regulatory status: Aviptadil (VIP) is an investigational compound in the United States; it was never approved for any pulmonary indication. In several European countries it is approved only within the fixed combination product Invicorp. The research-grade material sold by LiveWell is not a drug product: it is not manufactured, compounded, or approved for pharmaceutical use, and is strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice.

VIP research reference: View the 60-day randomized trial on PubMed

Pre-Order VIP Research Peptide: cGMP Manufactured in Dallas, TX

Qualified researchers can pre-order VIP directly from the manufacturer. LiveWell Peptides produces research-grade VIP in our cGMP facility in Dallas, Texas. Every vial is third-party tested to verify ≥99% HPLC purity, amino acid identity by mass spectrometry, and endotoxin limits by LAL testing, and the batch COA is published on our COA page on the day of release. Pre-orders ship in the order received (expected ship date: to be announced); once released, US orders placed before 2pm CT (Mon to Fri) ship same-day in cold-chain packaging, with free domestic shipping over $200. International shipping is available.

Why Researchers Source VIP from LiveWell

Documentation, not claims. Every batch ships with a verified COA confirming identity and purity, published on our COA page rather than supplied only on request.

Four-point analytical testing. HPLC for purity, mass spectrometry for amino acid identity, and LAL testing for endotoxins, with independent third-party verification on top of in-house quality control.

US manufacturing and cold-chain logistics. Orders ship from our Dallas, Texas facility, with international shipping to Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Related research compounds

BPC-157 (gut-origin peptide) · TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) · KPV (alpha-MSH fragment) · MOTS-c (mitochondrial peptide) · Bacteriostatic Water · Certificates of Analysis

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed sources for research reference:

• Bodanszky M et al. (1974). Synthesis of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). J Am Chem Soc. PMID: 4854585
• Lelievre V et al. (2007). Gastrointestinal dysfunction in mice with a targeted mutation in the gene encoding vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Peptides. PMID: 17606312
• Youssef JG et al. (2022). The Use of IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (Aviptadil) in Patients With Critical COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Results of a 60-Day Randomized Controlled Trial. Crit Care Med. PMID: 36044317
• Brown SM et al. (2023). Intravenous aviptadil and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19-associated hypoxaemic respiratory failure in the USA (TESICO): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med. PMID: 37348524
• Youssef JG et al. (2022). Rapid Clinical Recovery From Critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 With Respiratory Failure in a Pregnant Patient Treated With IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide. Crit Care Explor. PMID: 35018346

References are provided for research reference only. Inclusion of literature does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or claim for any specific use of LiveWell Peptides products. Products are sold for laboratory and research use only and are not intended for human consumption, injection, topical application, or any other administration to the human body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Péptidos de investigación disponibles con envío internacional. Péptido intestinal vasoactivo (VIP) de grado de investigación fabricado en instalaciones cGMP en Dallas, Texas. Certificado de análisis incluido con cada lote. Solo para uso en investigación.

Research Use Only Disclaimer: This product is sold strictly for in vitro laboratory research. NOT for human or animal consumption. LiveWell Peptides makes no medical claims.