Encyclopedia

ARA-290

ARA-290 is a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide from erythropoietin's tissue-protective domain, meant to calm inflammation and protect tissue. Small Phase 2 nerve-pain trials have finished and it holds an FDA orphan designation, but the evidence stays preliminary. Educational, not medical advice.

Start free →Dose tools

Category	Healing / Recovery
Regulatory status	Not FDA-approved.

Mechanism

A synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the tissue-protective domain of erythropoietin that selectively activates the innate repair receptor (a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor), producing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and tissue-protective effects without stimulating erythropoiesis.

Half-life

Short; plasma half-life on the order of minutes reported in early studies, though human data are limited.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. Investigational; holds FDA orphan drug designation for neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis. Not available through legal pharmaceutical channels in the US; sold as a research chemical.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in the small published trials, with no stimulation of red-cell mass (avoiding classic EPO thrombotic risk). Human safety data remain limited to small studies.

Evidence

Early human trials completed (small Phase 2 studies in sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy), plus preclinical data; evidence remains preliminary.

Sources

Heij L, et al. Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with small fiber neuropathy: randomized, double-blind pilot study. Mol Med. 2012;18(1):1430-1436. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23168581/
Dahan A, et al. ARA 290 improves symptoms and increases corneal nerve fiber density in sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss. Mol Med. 2013;19(1):334-345. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24136731/
Brines M, et al. ARA 290 improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mol Med. 2015;20(1):658-666. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25387363/
Culver DA, et al. Cibinetide improves corneal nerve fiber abundance in sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and neuropathic pain. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(6):BIO52-BIO60. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28475703/
Collino M, et al. Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin. Pharmacol Ther. 2015;151:32-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25728128/

PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. ARA-290 may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.