Ara-290
Synthetic erythropoietin-derived peptide (Cibinetide)
An 11-amino-acid peptide derivative of erythropoietin studied in tissue-protective research.
Also referenced as: Cibinetide
Overview
ARA-290, also known as Cibinetide, is a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide derived from a region of the erythropoietin (EPO) molecule. It was designed to engage tissue-protective signaling associated with EPO while lacking EPO's erythropoietic (red-blood-cell-stimulating) activity.
At a glance
What Ara-290 does
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide engineered from the tissue-protective, non-erythropoietic domain of erythropoietin (EPO). It was designed to keep EPO's repair and anti-inflammatory signaling while eliminating its blood-cell-stimulating activity. Its central action is selective activation of the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromeric receptor pairing the EPO receptor with the CD131 beta-common chain, which is expressed on injured tissue and immune cells rather than on red-blood-cell precursors. Through this receptor it promotes cell survival, reduces inflammation, and supports regeneration of small nerve fibers.
Downstream, ARA-290 shifts immune cells toward a less inflammatory state, lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling and modulating monocyte, macrophage, microglial, and T-cell activity. It has also been reported to modulate the TRPV1 nociceptive channel, linking its immune effects to reduced neuropathic pain. Because it does not raise hematocrit, it avoids the thrombotic and cardiovascular risks that limit EPO itself.
Unusually for peptides in this category, ARA-290 has genuine human clinical data. Randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials in painful sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy and in type 2 diabetes reported improved neuropathic symptoms and quality of life, and objective regrowth of corneal small nerve fibers measured by corneal confocal microscopy, with a favorable safety profile. It remains investigational, without completed Phase 3 confirmation, so results are promising but not yet definitive.
Effects reported in research
- Selectively activates the innate repair receptor (EPO receptor plus CD131 beta-common chain) on injured and immune cells without stimulating red-blood-cell production.
- Improved neuropathic pain symptoms and quality of life in placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy (human).
- Objective regrowth of corneal small nerve fibers on confocal microscopy in patients with small-fiber neuropathy (human).
- Improved neuropathic symptoms and metabolic control in a trial in type 2 diabetes patients (human).
- Reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling and shifted monocytes/macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory state (preclinical and clinical markers).
- Modulated the TRPV1 channel, linking immune modulation to reduced nociception in pain models (preclinical).
- Retains EPO's tissue-protective signaling while avoiding increased hematocrit and associated thrombotic risk.
- Remains investigational: Phase 2 data are encouraging but Phase 3 confirmation is not yet complete.
Effects listed reflect findings reported in the research literature — many in animal or in-vitro models. Listing an effect is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication in humans.
Mechanism of action
ARA-290 is described as an agonist of the innate repair receptor, a heteroreceptor complex involving the beta-common receptor, which mediates tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory effects attributed to EPO without stimulating erythropoiesis. Through this pathway it has been studied for effects on inflammation and neuropathic processes. Mechanistic understanding derives from preclinical models and early clinical research.
Mechanistic description reflects published research-literature understanding. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
What it's studied for
Research contexts in which Ara-290 appears in the literature. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication.
Key characteristics
- An 11-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin, designed to avoid EPO's red-cell-stimulating effect
- Targets the innate repair receptor / beta-common receptor pathway
- Has been evaluated in human clinical trials, unlike most peptides in this category
- Studied notably in small-fiber neuropathy associated with sarcoidosis
- Not an approved marketed drug
Reported research dosing reference only
Educational reference, not dosing guidance. The figures below summarize amounts reported in published research and research-community protocols, provided for educational and research context only. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation, and not instructions for human use. Ara-290 is a research compound.
In clinical research, ARA-290 was administered as a fixed subcutaneous dose once daily over multi-week courses. These are trial-reported reference figures for research context only, not dosing guidance for humans.
- Clinical trials: 4 mg subcutaneously once daily
- Course length: reported for ~28 days, with research extensions up to ~12 weeks
Very short plasma half-life (~2 minutes) with effects mediated by downstream signaling; dosing was fixed rather than weight-based in trials. Investigational; not an approved drug.
How it compares
ARA-290 is unusual in this group for being an EPO-derived, receptor-targeted peptide that has progressed into clinical trials rather than remaining purely preclinical.
Commonly studied alongside
Compounds frequently researched together with Ara-290 in the literature. Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
Compare and calculate
Side-by-side pages for the pairings the literature already documents for Ara-290, plus the unit-conversion reference for a reconstituted vial. Factual comparisons of documented characteristics — not a recommendation to combine or use any compound.
Handling & Stability
Lyophilized peptides are stored cold, protected from light, and reconstituted only at the time of intended in-vitro work.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Verify supplier lot and Certificate of Analysis
- Follow institutional lab-safety protocols
Analytical & COA Concepts
Reputable research suppliers publish a third-party Certificate of Analysis per batch. Key analytical concepts referenced in COAs include:
Category Context
Ara-290 sits in the Healing & Recovery area of the PeptiDex library.
- Entry type: Research compound reference
- Healing & Recovery category hub →
- Browse the full library →
- Glossary of terms →
Where researchers source Ara-290
For researchers studying Ara-290, third-party suppliers such as Practically Natty Peptides offer research-grade material, third-party tests every batch and provides Certificates of Analysis on request, and ship from the US. This specific listing is currently marked out of stock — check the supplier site for current availability.
View research-supplier listing →
Outbound link to a third-party research supplier. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement; all editorial content is developed independently.
Frequently asked questions
What is ARA-290 (cibinetide)?
ARA-290, generic name cibinetide, is a synthetic 11-amino-acid linear peptide engineered from the helix-B surface region of erythropoietin (EPO). It was designed to selectively activate the innate repair receptor (a heterodimer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor/CD131) without stimulating red-blood-cell production. It is an investigational compound, not an approved drug.
What is ARA-290 studied for?
It has been investigated in clinical research for tissue protection and anti-inflammatory effects, notably in sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy and diabetic neuropathic pain, as well as organ-protection models. The rationale is that innate-repair-receptor activation drives tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling. Results are from early-phase research rather than approved indications.
Does ARA-290 raise red blood cell counts like EPO?
No. It was specifically engineered to activate the tissue-protective innate repair receptor while not engaging the classical EPO receptor homodimer that drives erythropoiesis. In principle this avoids the thrombotic and cardiovascular risks associated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, though it is still investigational.
Why does ARA-290 have such a short half-life?
As a small linear peptide it is cleared very rapidly, with a reported plasma half-life on the order of a couple of minutes. Its effects are attributed to receptor-triggered downstream signaling cascades that outlast the peptide itself, which is why once-daily dosing was used in trials despite the brief half-life.
How was ARA-290 dosed in clinical research?
Clinical trials commonly used a fixed 4 mg subcutaneous dose once daily, given over periods such as 28 days up to about 12 weeks in extension work. These are the figures reported in the research literature and are provided for context only, not as dosing guidance.
Answers are educational summaries of research-literature context and do not constitute medical advice. See the Research Library, COA guide, and Storage & Handling guide for more.
References
Primary literature indexed in PubMed for Ara-290. Listing a study records that it exists and is indexed — it is not a claim of efficacy, a therapeutic indication, or an endorsement of its conclusions. Much of this literature is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model).
- ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes
Each reference was checked against its PubMed record on 2026-07-28: the PMID resolves and the title, journal and year match. Where no indexed literature exists for a compound, PeptiDex says so rather than substituting a citation about a different molecule. See the editorial policy.