In clinical trials
Heart & blood
Selepressin
Selepressin is an investigational V1a receptor agonist once studied for septic shock. Learn how it works and why its pivotal trial showed no benefit.
- Reviewed by
- William Maish, MD MBA MPH, Clinical Product Lead
- Published
- October 5, 2026
- Last updated
- October 5, 2026
Key takeaway
Selepressin is an investigational selective vasopressin V1a receptor agonist, developed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals as an intravenous blood-pressure support for septic shock. Its pivotal trial was stopped for futility and showed no benefit over placebo, and development has been discontinued. As of 2026 it is not approved.
At a glance
| FDA status | Investigational peptide, not approved by the FDA |
| What it is | Selective vasopressin V1a receptor agonist given by intravenous infusion for septic shock |
| Research | Pivotal trial (SEPSIS-ACT) stopped for futility with no benefit |
| Development status | Discontinued |
| Evidence strength | Low research |
What is selepressin?
Selepressin is an experimental vasopressor, a drug that raises blood pressure. It was being developed for septic shock by Ferring Pharmaceuticals under the code FE-202158. Unlike natural vasopressin, which acts on several receptors, selepressin was designed to act selectively on the V1a receptor. It is given by continuous intravenous infusion in intensive care. It is investigational, and its development has been discontinued.
How does it work?
Selepressin selectively activates the vasopressin V1a receptor1, which causes blood vessels to constrict and raises blood pressure. Targeting V1a alone had three aims:
- Achieve this pressor effect
- Avoid the fluid retention and other effects linked to the V2 receptor that non-selective vasopressin also activates
- Reduce reliance on catecholamine drugs like norepinephrine
This describes the mechanism; as the trial below shows, it did not translate into improved outcomes.
Is it FDA-approved?
No. Selepressin is investigational and not approved, and its development program has been stopped.
What does the research show?
The decisive evidence is negative. According to PubMed, the adaptive Phase 2b/3 SEPSIS-ACT1 trial in adults with septic shock was stopped for futility. There was no significant difference from placebo in the primary endpoint of ventilator- and vasopressor-free days, nor in key secondary outcomes including 90-day mortality. A companion design paper2 describes the trial's adaptive methods. The human evidence does not support a benefit.
More for heart & blood
Sources: the SEPSIS-ACT trial (Laterre et al., JAMA, 2019, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.146071) and its design paper (Lewis et al., Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 2018, DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201708-669SD2), both indexed on PubMed. This document is educational, is not medical advice or a health claim, and is not an offer to sell any product.