For the first time, samples were analysed using the new analytical method for so-called Inhibitors of activin receptor signaling pathways (IASPs). In addition, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) had samples re-analysed for AICAR based on information from media reports.
Thanks to the extensive research activities of the Institute of Biochemistry at the German Sport University Cologne and the Institute for Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry in Kreischa, NADA Germany was once again able to carry out a comprehensive re-analysis programme this year. The focus was on samples from 2016 and selected samples from 2025.
The comprehensive re-analysis showed that no doping substances could be detected in any NADA Germanys samples from long-term storage that were examined.
Reanalysis for AICAR
In the summer of 2025, several media outlets reported on the possible misuse of the drug AICAR by athletes as a doping agent in endurance sports. Against this backdrop, NADA Germany specifically investigated the suspicion and, in a joint project with the laboratory in Kreischa, tested 350 selected samples from long-term storage from endurance sports for AICAR. Selected samples were also tested in Cologne using the new SAICAR/AICAR method.
All samples tested were negative. There was no evidence of AICAR being misused as a performance-enhancing substance in the samples frozen by NADA Germany.
New screening for IASPs
A highlight of the 2025 re-analysis programme was screening for Inhibitors of the activin receptor signaling pathways (IASPs) in 128 selected samples from endurance sports. The screening was used for the first time on long-term stored samples. This screening detects new performance-enhancing substances in the prohibited groups S2.1 (endurance-enhancing substances) and S4.3 (strength and muscle mass-enhancing substances). A total of 14 prohibited substances were tested in serum. These include, for example, luspatercept, sotatercept and ramatercept.
The procedure has been offered at the Cologne laboratory since September 2025 and is the world's first comprehensive analysis of IASPs in doping samples.
Re-analysis of the 2016 samples at the Cologne laboratory
In Cologne, 99 long-term stored urine samples from NADA Germany from 2016 were examined using state-of-the-art analysis methods. A total of 72 urine samples were analysed for hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) and various anabolic steroids.
In addition, a further 250 substances were tested with standard sensitivity as part of the standard procedure. The samples were prepared using a robot-assisted extraction method. Furthermore, the 72 urine samples were tested for peptide hormones (GHRPs, GHSs) using a highly sensitive method.
Re-analysis of the 2016 samples by IDAS
The Institute for Doping Analysis and Sports Biochemistry (IDAS) re-analysed 58 long-term stored urine samples and 18 serum samples from NADA Germany, also from 2016. The urine samples were tested for new metabolites, HIF stabilisers, SARMs and peptides, including erythropoietin (EPO). The serum samples were also analysed for EPO.
Overall result
All samples analysed as part of the re-analysis programmes were negative.