At a glance
Effects
- Small nerve fiber repair: In a Phase 2b sarcoidosis trial, daily subcutaneous cibinetide increased corneal nerve fiber area (~23% from baseline at the 4 mg dose) and skin nerve fiber length.[7][8]
- Neuropathic pain reduction: Patients with moderate-to-severe pain at baseline reported clinically meaningful, placebo-corrected decreases in pain intensity.[7][8]
- Anti-inflammatory / tissue protection: Activates cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic signaling in stressed tissue; preclinical data span myocardial ischemia, retinopathy and traumatic brain injury.[1][6]
- Metabolic effects (diabetes): A Phase 2 trial in type 2 diabetes reported improvements in HbA1c and lipid profiles over the observation period.[9]
- No hematopoietic effect: Hemoglobin, reticulocyte and platelet levels remained stable in trials, confirming separation from EPO's blood-thickening pathway.[2][6]
Non-erythropoietic EPO-derived peptide; innate repair receptor (IRR) agonist
~20 min terminal (4 mg SC, human PK)
Subcutaneous injection
Investigational; not FDA-approved (Orphan Drug status only)
Symptom changes over weeks, not days
About ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
Every point here is drawn from public medical and harm-reduction sources. A bracketed number after a claim — like [1]— is a reference: tap it to open the exact source it's based on (numbered list at the bottom). It is not a rating or score. Educational information, not medical advice.
Product specifics
- Est. delivery
- 3–7 business days · EU tracked
Product details as stated by the vendor (claims, not independently verified). Delivery is our standard EU estimate.
What it is
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an investigational, non-erythropoietic 11-amino-acid peptide engineered from the structure of erythropoietin (EPO).[1][3] It is studied as a tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory agent, chiefly for small fiber neuropathy and neuropathic pain, and is not approved by the FDA for any human use.[2][5]
How it works
ARA-290 selectively activates the "innate repair receptor" (IRR), a heteromeric complex of the EPO receptor (EPOR) and the beta-common receptor (CD131) that is upregulated mainly in injured or inflamed tissue.[1][6] Binding to this receptor triggers anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory signaling that protects cells and supports nerve repair, while deliberately leaving out EPO's red-blood-cell-stimulating activity — so it does not raise hematocrit or the associated clotting risk.[1][6] It also antagonizes the TRPV1 pain channel, which contributes to its analgesic effect.[4]
Risks & side effects
Most important: The single most important caveat is that ARA-290 is investigational and not FDA-approved, so its long-term safety is unknown; because its mechanism promotes cell survival (anti-apoptosis), it should be avoided by anyone with active cancer or a myeloproliferative disorder until more safety data exist.[5][10] Short-term trials reported a clean tolerability profile, but follow-up is limited compared with established drugs.[11][12]
Common
Serious
Safety & harm reduction
- Routine hematologic monitoring is not required as it does not stimulate erythropoiesis, unlike EPO[14]
- Objective nerve testing (skin biopsy, corneal confocal microscopy, autonomic testing) where clinically appropriate to assess response[13]
- Watch for new or worsening symptoms, persistent injection-site reactions, or signs of allergic reaction[13]
- Combination with EPO or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents has not been adequately studied — consult a provider[13]
Dosage context
Commonly-reported, NOT a prescription: published Phase 2 trials used 4 mg subcutaneously once daily for 28 days, the dose that gave the strongest small-nerve-fiber response in a 1/4/8 mg dose-ranging study; some research used the same daily dose for up to ~12 weeks.[7][15] Doses across trials ranged from very low to 8 mg without hematopoietic effects.[2] Human PK after a 4 mg SC dose showed a peak around 3 ng/mL with a terminal half-life of ~20 minutes; daily dosing is used because the receptor requires daily activation.[9][10]
Sources
- 1.PeptideDeck — ARA-290 Research Guide
- 2.Peptides Institute — ARA-290 Research Profile
- 3.Peptide Protocol Wiki — ARA-290
- 4.ScienceDirect — ARA 290 relieves pain via TRPV1
- 5.Peptides.wiki — ARA-290 Side Effects
- 6.Revolution Health — ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
- 7.Araim Pharmaceuticals / PRNewswire — Phase 2b sarcoidosis results
- 8.IOVS / ARVO — Cibinetide corneal nerve fiber abundance (2017)
- 9.PMC — ARA 290 in Type 2 Diabetes (Mol Med 2014)
- 10.Peptide Protocol Wiki — ARA-290 (contraindications)
- 11.Mind Body Neurology — ARA 290 for Neuropathy
- 12.Sarcoidosis News — Cibinetide regenerates nerve fibers
- 13.PeptideWiki — ARA-290 Dosage & Safety Guide
- 14.Swolverine — ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
- 15.The Peptide Catalog — ARA-290 Dosing Guide
This information is provided for educational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice. These substances can carry serious health risks; effects and safe use vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Legal status varies by country — it is your responsibility to know your local law. We do not encourage misuse.
Other options for ARA-290 (Cibinetide)· 2 offers
Same compound from different labs/brands and pack sizes. Tap a row to switch brand — the price and buy button update instantly.
| Brand | Form | Strength | Pack | Price | Per mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Generic | vial | 10 mg | 10 vial | 199,99 € | — |
GenericSelected | vial | 16 mg | 10 vial | 229,99 € | — |