SelepressinSelective V1a agonist · critical-care research
Selepressin was designed to target the vascular V1a receptor more selectively than vasopressin. A large septic-shock trial tested whether that approach improved outcomes beyond its effect on blood pressure.
What is Selepressin?
Selepressin is a selective vasopressin V1a receptor agonist investigated for septic shock. It was developed to emphasise blood-vessel effects over the broader receptor actions of vasopressin. 1 2
How it works
V1a receptor activation constricts blood vessels and can support blood pressure. A reduction in another vasopressor requirement is not necessarily a survival or recovery benefit. 1
Effects studied
Septic-shock recovery
In SEPSIS-ACT, selepressin did not improve ventilator- and vasopressor-free days. The trial stopped for futility and did not establish a benefit on the reported secondary mortality outcome.
Evidence: Randomised trial involving 828 treated patients. 1
What does the evidence show?
Checked SEPSIS-ACT randomised-trial abstract
Why receptor selectivity looked promising
Vasopressin affects blood vessels and water retention through different receptors. Selepressin was designed to focus on V1a-mediated vascular effects, aiming to support circulation in septic shock while avoiding some effects of broader receptor activity. Whether this improved care had to be tested clinically.
The trial asked about recovery
SEPSIS-ACT enrolled people with septic shock already receiving norepinephrine. Its main endpoint counted days alive without a ventilator or vasopressors during the first 30 days. This measured more than a transient increase in blood pressure: it asked whether patients needed less intensive organ support. 1
What the comparison found
Among 828 participants who received study treatment, selepressin did not significantly improve the primary endpoint. The study stopped for futility, and key secondary outcomes, including 90-day mortality, also showed no significant improvement. These findings do not support a claim of better recovery under the conditions tested. 1
What the result leaves for researchers
The selective mechanism remains a subject for research, although the expected clinical advantage was not confirmed. A new claim would require a suitable trial with a clearly defined population and outcome. Ischaemia and cardiac rhythm events remained relevant safety measures in these critically ill patients; receptor selectivity did not eliminate those concerns. 1
Safety & status
Ischaemia and arrhythmias were relevant monitored adverse events. Septic-shock treatment requires balancing blood-pressure support against tissue perfusion and other organ outcomes. 1
Country and product status
Product indications and availability vary by country; current EU and Swiss status has not been independently checked for this draft.
Frequently asked questions
Why study a selective V1a agonist?
The aim was to isolate useful vascular effects, but receptor selectivity alone does not guarantee better outcomes. 1
Was its clinical benefit confirmed?
The main SEPSIS-ACT recovery endpoint was not improved. 1
Sources
This entry was rewritten from our research archive. References below are reading leads unless a completed check is explicitly noted; a full independent evidence and regulatory review is still pending.
- Laterre et al. · SEPSIS-ACT trial Primary source checked · Primary abstract checked 27 October 2026: 828 treated participants, futility stop, no primary or key secondary endpoint improvement.
- Retained paper reference Archive research lead · Retained archive reference; not independently checked for this draft
Research provenance
This name was discovered in the Superpower peptide index, archived 26 October 2026. Its ratings and reviewer attribution have not been adopted as our own. The archive informed this original editorial draft; independent source review is still pending.