From The San Francisco Standard · · 2m
Peptides, Patriotism, and Partying Collide
Bay Area hosts black-tie peptide party on WWII ship to promote American-made supplements.
In brief
Bay Area hosts black-tie peptide party on WWII ship to promote American-made supplements. San Francisco peptide enthusiasts sample U.S.-made supplements at a black-tie event on a WWII ship to reduce reliance on Chinese peptide suppliers. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
Peptide Party Unveiled
Nicole Klau Ibarra, 25, samples CJC-1295 and ipamorelin peptides at a black-tie event aboard the SS Jeremiah O'Brien.
“It tastes like Listerine … Listerine mixed with stevia”
Bay Area Battleship Venue
The event took place aboard an 83-year-old WWII cargo ship docked at Pier 35 by Fisherman's Wharf.
Haus Fund Hosts Event
Haus Fund, a biotech startup accelerator, hosted the party as part of a networking event and patriotic peptide sales pitch.
Black-Tie Dress Code
Guests wore formal attire, including tuxedos and sequined gowns, to match the industry's growing respectability.
Patriotic Peptide Pitch
The event aimed to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese peptide suppliers through American manufacturing.
“People should know where their peptides are coming from”
Peptide Market Growth
The global peptide therapeutics market was estimated at $164 billion in 2026 and predicted to grow to $294.6 billion by 2033.
FDA Policy Shift
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced interim enforcement discretion for six experimental peptides a week before the event.
Peptide Sampling
Guests sampled U.S.-made peptides including GHK-Cu for skincare and Afterglow Science's sublingual strips.
Afterglow Science Products
Afterglow Science launched sublingual strips containing tirzepatide, a weight-loss medication, and experimental peptides.
Peptide Delivery Concerns
Scientists question how much peptide is absorbed sublingually compared to injections.
“The real answer is nobody knows”
Personal Peptide Use
Anu Bhat, CEO of Ondu, tested a peptide strip for potential longevity benefits without immediate effects.
“I think a lot about longevity and how you can benefit from science and technology”
Midlife Women's Struggles
Dr. Krista Ramonas noted midlife women face medical dismissal and turn to peptides for sleep issues.
“She wasn’t reckless. She was desperate. She’d run out of her estrogen patch during the shortage, and no one in the system would listen to her”
Regulatory Concerns
Dr. Jordan Shlain cautioned that manufacturing alone doesn't ensure peptide safety or efficacy.
“Most of what gets sampled at a party has not been through that process, and good manufacturing cannot substitute for evidence”
Historical Irony
The ship was built in 56 days during WWII, symbolizing rapid U.S. manufacturing capabilities.
“We need more manufacturing in America”
The headline
San Francisco peptide enthusiasts sample U.S.-made supplements at a black-tie event on a WWII ship to reduce reliance on Chinese peptide suppliers.
