Research compounds
ARA-290
Cibinetide
ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B domain of erythropoietin, designed to retain erythropoietin's tissue-protective signalling without its haematopoietic effect. It has been studied in small trials for neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis and in type 2 diabetes. It is not approved anywhere.
Also known as: ARA290, pHBSP
- Status
- ARA-290 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Short — on the order of minutes in circulation; the tissue-protective effect is thought to outlast plasma exposure.
- How it's taken
- Subcutaneous injection in the trial setting
- Mechanism
- Tissue repair
How ARA-290 works
Erythropoietin signals through two distinct receptors: the classical homodimeric EPO receptor that drives red cell production, and an innate repair receptor formed from the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor, which mediates tissue protection and anti-inflammatory effects. ARA-290 corresponds to a region of EPO that engages only the innate repair receptor, so it is intended to produce tissue protection without raising haematocrit.
What research has looked at
- Small placebo-controlled trials in sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy reported improvement in patient-reported neuropathic symptom scores and in corneal nerve fibre measures.
- The design goal — separating tissue protection from erythropoiesis — is mechanistically coherent, and in the studies conducted haematocrit was not meaningfully raised.
- It has been investigated for corneal nerve regeneration and for pain in type 2 diabetes.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- The human evidence base is small: the trials have been short, in small numbers of participants, and largely reliant on patient-reported outcomes. No Phase 3 programme has established efficacy.
- No regulator has approved ARA-290 for any indication, and no long-term safety data exist.
- Material sold as ARA-290 is research chemical supply, not a pharmaceutical product; identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy are unverified.
- The consequences of chronic innate repair receptor stimulation are unknown.
Sources
- PubMed research on ARA-290 cibinetide innate repair receptor · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for ARA-290 · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for ARA-290 · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
ARA-290 FAQ
What is ARA-290?
ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B domain of erythropoietin, designed to retain erythropoietin's tissue-protective signalling without its haematopoietic effect. It has been studied in small trials for neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis and in type 2 diabetes. It is not approved anywhere.
How does ARA-290 work?
Erythropoietin signals through two distinct receptors: the classical homodimeric EPO receptor that drives red cell production, and an innate repair receptor formed from the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor, which mediates tissue protection and anti-inflammatory effects. ARA-290 corresponds to a region of EPO that engages only the innate repair receptor, so it is intended to produce tissue protection without raising haematocrit.
Is ARA-290 FDA approved?
No. ARA-290 is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of ARA-290?
Reported half-life: Short — on the order of minutes in circulation; the tissue-protective effect is thought to outlast plasma exposure.
How is ARA-290 taken?
Subcutaneous injection in the trial setting.
What side effects have been reported with ARA-290?
Reported in the sources: The human evidence base is small: the trials have been short, in small numbers of participants, and largely reliant on patient-reported outcomes. No Phase 3 programme has established efficacy; No regulator has approved ARA-290 for any indication, and no long-term safety data exist; Material sold as ARA-290 is research chemical supply, not a pharmaceutical product; identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy are unverified; The consequences of chronic innate repair receptor stimulation are unknown.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.