The new drug is in a class of substances, known as hypoxia inducible factor stabilizers, that is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which tests for it via urine samples. More than 600 sports organizations — including the International Olympic Committee and the International Cycling Union, or U.C.I., which represents cyclists — use the agency’s lists to determine which substances to ban.
There is no other drug like FG-4592, said Abigail Bozarth, an AstraZeneca spokeswoman. She added, “We are unable to comment on how an individual might gain access to FG-4592 outside of a clinical trial.”
At Cayman Chemical, another company that sells FG-4592, Gregory W. Endres, vice president for chemistry, warned that “it would be highly inadvisable” for a person to buy and then consume the chemical. The reason, he said, is that it is not produced somewhere that is authorized to make drugs for human beings.
“This is a research chemical, for research purposes,” Endres said. “Things go through the F.D.A. for a reason.” He would not elaborate on what risks someone would take using Cayman’s compound, which is considered to be 98 percent pure.
There is no other drug like FG-4592, said Abigail Bozarth, an AstraZeneca spokeswoman. She added, “We are unable to comment on how an individual might gain access to FG-4592 outside of a clinical trial.”
At Cayman Chemical, another company that sells FG-4592, Gregory W. Endres, vice president for chemistry, warned that “it would be highly inadvisable” for a person to buy and then consume the chemical. The reason, he said, is that it is not produced somewhere that is authorized to make drugs for human beings.
“This is a research chemical, for research purposes,” Endres said. “Things go through the F.D.A. for a reason.” He would not elaborate on what risks someone would take using Cayman’s compound, which is considered to be 98 percent pure.

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