The 11-amino-acid fragment of erythropoietin stripped of the red-blood-cell side effect — a tissue-protective peptide in active clinical development for diabetic neuropathy and sarcoidosis.
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix-B domain of erythropoietin (EPO). It was engineered to preserve EPO’s tissue-protective effects (via the innate repair receptor, IRR) while eliminating its red-blood-cell-stimulating effect.
Developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals and currently in mid-stage clinical trials for diabetic neuropathic pain, sarcoidosis-related small fiber neuropathy, and other cell-protection indications. Not FDA approved yet; trials ongoing.
Not FDA approved. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List (in force 1 Jan 2026) added a new sub-class S2.1.5 “Innate Repair Receptor agonists” naming asialo-EPO and CEPO; cibinetide is the prototype synthetic IRR agonist and the sub-class was effectively created for this drug family. The non-erythropoietic profile is the basis of capture under S2.1.5, not a defense from it. Araim Pharmaceuticals has been effectively dormant since ~2017–2018; the DME Phase 2 (PMID 32674280) was terminated due to study-drug expiration. No active Phase 3 is registered.
Binds the heteromeric IRR (EPO-receptor + β-common-receptor complex) expressed on injured tissues, immune cells, and peripheral nerves. Triggers tissue repair, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic signaling.
Doesn’t bind the classical EPO receptor dimer on erythroid cells — so no erythropoiesis, no hematocrit rise, none of EPO’s cardiovascular risks. This is the key engineering advantage.
Particularly studied for peripheral nerve repair in diabetic neuropathy and sarcoidosis-related small fiber neuropathy — conditions with few good treatment options.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Diabetic neuropathy pain | Phase 2 studies: improved nerve fiber density and reduced pain scores |
| Sarcoidosis SFN | Open-label data in sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy: meaningful symptom improvement |
| Wound healing | Preclinical data for accelerated chronic wound closure |
| Anti-inflammatory | Broad anti-inflammatory via IRR signaling without suppressing normal immune function |
| Ischemia/reperfusion protection | Preclinical data in kidney, heart, and CNS |
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeClinical trials have used 1–8 mg SubQ daily, with 4 mg as the primary arm in the pivotal Phase 2b trial (PMID 28475703, 28-day duration) and up to 12 weeks (84 days) in the DME trial (PMID 32674280). Nerve-related improvements were significant at 28 days in the pivotal sarcoidosis SFN trial; longer observation windows are still being explored in ongoing studies.
10 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 5 mg/mL
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mg | 0.40 mL | 40 units |
| 4 mg | 0.80 mL | 80 units |
Pre-filled with a typical ARA-290 (Cibinetide) setup. Edit any field — the draw updates live.
Insulin syringe — 100 units = 1 mL
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ARA-290 has a remarkably clean side-effect profile in trials — the whole point of engineering out the erythropoietic activity was to avoid EPO’s cardiovascular baggage.
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is a research peptide not approved by the FDA for human use. It is sold only as a research chemical, and StackTrax does not endorse or facilitate personal use.
Quality varies enormously among research-chemical suppliers. At minimum, look for:
StackTrax’s preferred partner NextGen Peptides does not currently carry ARA-290 (Cibinetide)in their catalog, which is why you don’t see a direct purchase link here. Other major research-chemical suppliers carry it; we don’t specifically recommend one for this compound.
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeARA-290, also called cibinetide, is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix-B domain of erythropoietin (EPO). It was engineered by Araim Pharmaceuticals to preserve EPO's tissue-protective effects via the innate repair receptor (IRR) while eliminating the red-blood-cell-stimulating effect. It is in mid-stage clinical development for diabetic neuropathic pain, sarcoidosis-related small fiber neuropathy, and other cell-protection indications.
ARA-290 binds the heteromeric innate repair receptor (the EPO-receptor plus β-common-receptor complex) expressed on injured tissues, immune cells, and peripheral nerves, triggering tissue repair, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic signaling. It does not bind the classical EPO receptor dimer on erythroid cells, so there is no erythropoiesis, no hematocrit rise, and none of EPO's cardiovascular risks. That separation of receptor binding is the key engineering advantage.
Phase 2 studies in diabetic neuropathic pain reported improved nerve fiber density and reduced pain scores, and open-label data in sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy reported meaningful symptom improvement. Nerve-related improvements were significant at 28 days in the pivotal sarcoidosis SFN trial (PMID 28475703), and the diabetic macular edema trial (PMID 32674280) extended dosing to 12 weeks. The DME Phase 2 was terminated due to study-drug expiration rather than safety, and Araim Pharmaceuticals has been effectively dormant since around 2017 to 2018, with no active Phase 3 currently registered.
Not FDA approved; trials are ongoing. The 2026 WADA Prohibited List (in force 1 Jan 2026) added a new sub-class S2.1.5 "Innate Repair Receptor agonists" naming asialo-EPO and CEPO. Cibinetide is the prototype synthetic IRR agonist and the sub-class was effectively created for this drug family, so the non-erythropoietic profile is the basis of capture under S2.1.5 rather than a defense from it.
Clinical trials have used 1 to 8 mg SubQ, with 4 mg as the primary arm in the pivotal Phase 2b sarcoidosis SFN trial (PMID 28475703, 28-day duration) and up to 12 weeks in the DME trial. Frequency ranges from daily to 3 times per week, in cycles of 4 to 12 weeks. For reconstitution, a 10 mg vial plus 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives 5 mg/mL, so a 4 mg dose is 0.80 mL (80 units on a U-100 syringe). Reconstituted product is refrigerated and used within 30 days.
ARA-290 has a remarkably clean side-effect profile in trials, which is the whole point of engineering out the erythropoietic activity to avoid EPO's cardiovascular baggage. Mild reported effects include injection site reactions, mild headache, and transient fatigue. Use caution with pregnancy or breastfeeding, active cancer (repair signaling in dysregulated tissue is theoretically concerning), and severe autoimmune flare.
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