Melanotan I

Also known as: Afamelanotide, MT-I, SCENESSE

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear 13-amino acid analog of α-MSH developed at the University of Arizona with enhanced MC1R selectivity and metabolic stability compared to the native hormone. The key modification is substitution of methionine-4 with norleucine (Nle) and phenylalanine-7 with D-phenylalanine (D-Phe), providing resistance to enzymatic degradation. Approved by the EMA as Scenesse (2014) for prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), afamelanotide is the only approved melanocortin-based tanning agent. It stimulates eumelanin production without UV exposure, providing photoprotection for patients with extreme UV sensitivity. Unlike Melanotan II, afamelanotide is relatively selective for MC1R with minimal sexual or appetite effects.