– Afamelanotide, also known as CUV1647, is a Melanocortin receptor agonist. Afamelanotide is a synthetic peptide and analogue of ?-melanocyte stimulating hormone used to prevent skin damage from the sun in people with erythropoietic protoporphyria .It is under development in other skin disorders in several jurisdictions. It causes skin to turn darker by causing the skin to make more melanin.