Research Knowledge Base · v1
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything researchers ask us most — about products, batches, ordering, delivery, storage and account features. If you can’t find your answer below, reach us at service@biocompoundsuk.com or in our WhatsApp community.
Section 01
About our products
What does BioCompounds UK supply?
BCUK supplies HPLC-verified research-grade peptides and small-molecule research compounds for in-vitro laboratory investigation by qualified researchers. Our catalogue covers tissue research compounds, growth-hormone-related research peptides, longevity and mind-health peptides, and the accessories needed to handle them safely.
Are these products legal in the UK?
Our compounds are sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and development purposes only. They are not approved or intended for human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. Buyers must be qualified researchers aged 18 or over and agree to handle all compounds in accordance with applicable regulations and good laboratory practice (GLP). Full terms are on our Terms of Purchase page.
Can you give dosing or usage advice?
No. BCUK cannot provide dosing, medical, clinical, veterinary, or application advice. All products are sold for in-vitro research use only and are not approved for human or veterinary use. For protocol design, researchers should consult published literature and their own laboratory’s standard operating procedures.
Do I need a special licence to purchase research peptides?
No special licence is required for most research institutions or professionals to purchase research-grade reference materials in the UK. Buyers remain responsible for compliance with their local laws and any institutional or workplace policies governing the receipt and handling of research materials.
Where can I learn about a specific compound?
Our Research Knowledge Base has deep-dive guides on Tirzepatide, Retatrutide, BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, NAD+, MOTS-c, Semax, Selank, PT-141 and many more. Each product page also has a dedicated FAQ section covering mechanism, half-life and format-specific storage.
Section 02
Quality & batch testing
How is product purity verified?
All BCUK material is HPLC-verified research-grade. Selected batches additionally undergo independent third-party analysis by Janoshik Analytical — the most widely recognised peptide-testing laboratory in the UK / EU research market.
Is a Certificate of Analysis (COA) available?
Published Certificates of Analysis from Janoshik are available on our batch verification page, refreshed periodically as new batches are independently tested. Not every batch is published, but the COAs we do publish are tied to specific batch numbers so you can confirm origin and authenticity.
Section 03
Formats & equipment
What’s the difference between vial, cartridge and disposable pen?
Vial (lyophilised powder): Maximum flexibility in concentration and reconstitution volume. Best for researchers running varied protocols. Requires sterile water (or PBS) and a delivery syringe.
3ml Cartridge: Pre-filled, designed for use with our reusable research pens. Ideal for repeat-interval protocols where consistent dispensing matters.
Disposable Ready-to-Use Pen: Fully pre-loaded, no equipment required. Suitable for shorter protocols or laboratories trialling the pen delivery format. Please note that disposable pens are supplied with 5 needles and swabs only — packs of both are available from the store to keep you going for longer.
Not every compound is available in every format. Check the individual product page for which variations are currently supplied.
What equipment do I need for vials?
For lyophilised vials you’ll need bacteriostatic water or sterile water for reconstitution, plus a 1ml graduated syringe for accurate measurement. Our Research Calculator works out the right reconstitution volume for the concentration you want.
What equipment do I need for cartridges?
You’ll need our URL Handle reusable peptide pen (or a compatible standard 3ml research pen) and pen needles — we recommend our CarePoint 31g 5mm pen needles. Our Research Calculator is calibrated to this hardware.
Are cartridges and pens already reconstituted?
Yes. Cartridges and disposable pens ship pre-filled with reconstituted compound. Keep them refrigerated (2–8°C) as much as possible from arrival; they’re usually fine at room temperature for up to 21 days. Vials ship as lyophilised powder and require reconstitution before use.
Section 04
Ordering & payment
How do I place an order?
Browse the Shop, select a product, choose your preferred format (vial / cartridge / pen) where multiple options exist, and add to basket. Checkout is straightforward — UK delivery details and a payment method are all that’s needed.
Is checkout secure?
Yes. All payments use encrypted, secure processing. BCUK never sees or stores your payment details.
Can I cancel or amend an order?
If your order hasn’t been dispatched yet, email service@biocompoundsuk.com as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to adjust it. Once orders enter dispatch, changes aren’t possible. For details on cancellations and returns, see our Refund & Returns Policy.
What if my order arrives damaged or missing?
Email service@biocompoundsuk.com within 48 hours of delivery with photos of the parcel and contents. We’ll resolve it quickly — either replacement or refund, depending on the situation. See our Refund & Returns Policy for full details.
Section 05
Delivery & shipping
Where do you ship from?
All orders are dispatched from our UK-based fulfilment centre.
How fast is UK delivery?
Orders are typically dispatched within 24 hours via Royal Mail Tracked 24. During busier periods dispatch may extend to 48 hours. Most UK orders arrive the next working day after dispatch.
Do you ship reconstituted products with cool packs?
Through the warmer months — roughly April to September — all reconstituted products (pre-filled cartridges and disposable pens) are dispatched with cool packs in insulated packaging to keep them within a safe range in transit.
From October to March we generally ship without cool packs, as ambient temperatures over a next-working-day service are low enough on their own. If an unusually mild spell arrives during those months we reintroduce cool packs until it passes.
Lyophilised vials ship as stable powder and don’t require cool packs at any point in the year. Whatever the season, refrigerate on arrival as set out in Storage & handling.
Is shipping free?
Free Royal Mail Tracked 24 shipping is included on all UK orders over £100. Orders below that threshold incur a small tracked-shipping fee shown at checkout.
How do I track my order?
Once dispatched you’ll receive an email with your Royal Mail tracking number and a link to follow the parcel. For the most up-to-date tracking, head to your account and use the dedicated tracking app — you’ll find it in the account section, not the main account dashboard.
Do you ship internationally?
No. BCUK ships UK domestic only.
Section 06
Storage & handling
How should lyophilised vials be stored?
Store at -20°C in a sealed container, away from light and moisture. Lyophilised peptides remain stable for extended periods (often years) when kept frozen and sealed.
How should cartridges and disposable pens be stored?
Refrigerate between 2°C and 8°C from arrival and keep them refrigerated as much as possible. They ship pre-filled with reconstituted compound and are usually fine at room temperature for up to 21 days, so time in the post or a spell out of the fridge won’t affect quality. Once opened, use within 3 months. Keep away from light.
How should reconstituted peptides be stored?
Refrigerate at 2°C to 8°C and use within approximately four weeks for optimal stability. Avoid repeated temperature cycling. See our Peptide Storage Guide for detail on specific compounds.
How do I reconstitute a lyophilised vial?
Use sterile or bacteriostatic water at the volume that gives your desired research concentration. Add the solvent slowly down the side of the vial, then gently swirl (don’t shake) until fully dissolved. Our Reconstitution Guide walks through the process and our Research Calculator works out volumes per dose.
Can reconstituted peptides be frozen?
Most reconstituted peptides tolerate a single freeze cycle if needed, but repeated freeze-thaw cycles degrade most peptides rapidly. Best practice is to either keep reconstituted material at 2-8°C and use within four weeks, or aliquot before freezing so each thaw uses a fresh aliquot.
Section 07
Account & loyalty
Do I need an account to order?
An account makes reordering, tracking, and earning loyalty points easier, but you can also check out as a guest. Account holders see their full order history and can access invoices anytime via My Account.
How does the loyalty programme work?
Every purchase earns you points (shown on each product page as “Earn up to X points”). Points accumulate on your account and can be redeemed against future orders. Full details are on the Loyalty Reward page.
Section 08
Support & community
How do I contact BCUK?
Email us at service@biocompoundsuk.com for any order, product, or research-related question. We respond within one working day during the UK working week. You can also use our contact form.
Is there a community where researchers share results?
Yes — our Telegram channel and WhatsApp community are both active. Researchers discuss protocols, share batch experiences and ask quick questions there. Both are independently moderated, civil spaces.
How do I leave a review?
Verified-purchase reviews appear on individual product pages and are aggregated on our Reviews page. After you receive an order, you’ll be invited by email to leave a verified review.
I have a research question that isn’t covered here.
Drop us a line at service@biocompoundsuk.com — we read every email, and if it’s a common question we’ll add it to this page so the next researcher finds the answer faster.
Still have a question?
Reach the BCUK team
We read every message and respond within one working day.
All products are supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified researchers aged 18+. Not for human or veterinary use. See our Terms of Purchase for full details.
