Vitality & longevity · Prescription only
MOTS-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for its role in metabolic regulation, available after a licensed-provider evaluation.
Treatment length is confirmed at checkout after your provider approves treatment.
Beginning treatment does not create a prescription. A US-licensed provider reviews your intake first, and an order is only filled if they determine treatment is appropriate for you.
Treatment details
- Medication
- MOTS-c
- Category
- Vitality & longevity
- Access
- Available after a licensed-provider evaluation
- Fulfillment
- Compounded by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
- FDA status
- Compounded — not FDA-approved
- Shipping
- Discreet, United States only
$299.00 is a placeholder price pending final confirmation. Van Peptides does not compound, manufacture, or dispense medication itself.
What it is
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome itself, from a short reading frame in the 12S rRNA region, rather than the nuclear DNA that codes for most proteins. It was first characterized as a regulator of metabolic homeostasis that translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and acts largely through the folate cycle and AMPK activation (Lee et al., Cell Metab, 2015, PMID 25738459). Outcomes are individual, and human trial data on MOTS-c remains limited compared with the animal-model literature.
MOTS-c is available after a licensed-provider evaluation, not as a direct purchase. Van Peptides does not manufacture or dispense it; a prescription, if issued, is compounded through a US-licensed compounding pharmacy.
Van Peptides connects patients with an independent network of US-licensed providers who assess candidacy. We do not diagnose, prescribe, or dispense, and we do not employ the providers or the pharmacy involved in fulfillment.
What the literature has explored
In mouse studies, MOTS-c administration prevented age-dependent and high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance and reduced diet-induced obesity, with the primary target tissue identified as skeletal muscle (Lee et al., 2015, PMID 25738459). Follow-up work found MOTS-c improved insulin sensitivity through changes in several plasma metabolic pathways in diet-induced obese mice (Kim et al., Physiol Rep, 2019, PMID 31293078), and a comprehensive review describes MOTS-c’s broader profile across stress adaptation, energy metabolism, and aging-related biology, while noting the peptide’s plasma levels decline with age in humans (J Transl Med review, 2023, PMID 36670507).
This is still a young and largely preclinical field. The metabolic and anti-obesity findings above come from mouse models, and while in vitro human-cell work supports plausible mechanisms, controlled human clinical trials establishing efficacy for a specific indication in people are limited. Outcomes are individual, and MOTS-c’s mitochondrial signaling story, while genuinely interesting to researchers studying aging and metabolism, has not yet been proven out in large human trials.
We describe the mechanistic and animal data because it explains why MOTS-c is discussed in longevity-focused medicine, not because it guarantees an effect for you. A licensed provider can discuss where the evidence currently stands relative to your goals.
How the telehealth path works
- Complete a short online intake.
- A US-licensed provider reviews your history and speaks with you if appropriate.
- If clinically appropriate, a prescription is issued and routed to a US-licensed compounding pharmacy.
- The medication ships discreetly in the US, with dispensing instructions from the pharmacy.
Van Peptides is a technology platform. It does not diagnose, prescribe, compound, or dispense. Each step above is carried out by an independent US-licensed provider or a US-licensed compounding pharmacy.
Common questions
What is MOTS-c?
It is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, studied for its role in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and stress adaptation, primarily in animal and in vitro models.
Who is a candidate?
A US-licensed provider determines candidacy after reviewing your intake and history; it is available after a licensed-provider evaluation.
Is it FDA approved?
No. MOTS-c is not FDA approved, and no FDA-approved brand-name version exists.
How is it dispensed?
If prescribed, MOTS-c is compounded through a US-licensed compounding pharmacy and shipped to you.
What does it cost?
Placeholder plan pricing is $149 monthly, $399 for a three-month plan, and $749 for a six-month plan. Final pricing will be confirmed before this page goes live.
How is my privacy protected?
Your intake and health information are handled under our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.
What if it isn’t right for me?
If a provider determines MOTS-c is not appropriate for you, they will discuss other options as part of your evaluation.