Peplens

ARA-290 (Cibinetide)

Limited human data

Innate repair receptor (IRR) agonist — 11-amino-acid peptide from the tissue-protective domain of erythropoietin · Also known as Cibinetide, ARA290, pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (pHBSP), EPO-derived tissue-protective peptide

Overview

ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the tissue-protective region of erythropoietin (EPO). It is engineered to activate the 'innate repair receptor' (a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor) to produce anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects WITHOUT stimulating red-blood-cell production. Unlike most peptides in this dataset it has genuine human trial data: in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot in sarcoidosis patients with small-fiber neuropathy (22 patients, 28 days of dosing), the ARA-290 group showed a significant improvement in neuropathy symptom score versus placebo, with no rise in hemoglobin and a clean short-term safety profile. It holds FDA Orphan Drug designation for sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy and has been studied in diabetic neuropathy. As of 2026 it remains investigational and is not approved for marketing in any jurisdiction; the efficacy data, while encouraging, comes from small early-phase studies.

Commonly Reported Uses

These are uses commonly discussed or marketed by users and vendors — not a list of proven or approved benefits, and not a recommendation.

  • Neuropathic pain / small-fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis (investigational; positive early-phase trial, not approved)
  • Diabetic neuropathy and metabolic/inflammatory conditions (investigational; early human data)
  • General 'tissue repair' and anti-inflammatory support (marketed claim; extrapolated beyond tested indications)

What to Track

Data points you and your clinician might monitor. For observation only — not a diagnostic protocol.

  • Subjective — daily neuropathic pain and symptom scores (the trials used validated neuropathy/pain questionnaires)
  • Labs — hemoglobin and hematocrit (mechanistically designed NOT to raise red cells; useful to confirm) if a clinician monitors
  • Labs — hs-CRP or IL-6 if a clinician is tracking inflammation
  • WHOOP — recovery, HRV and sleep trends as a general well-being signal
  • Subjective — energy, fatigue, and quality-of-life check-ins

Sources & References

  1. [1]Safety and Efficacy of ARA 290 in Sarcoidosis Patients with Symptoms of Small Fiber Neuropathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study — PMC
  2. [2]Cibinetide (ARA-290) — clinical studies listing — ClinicalTrials.gov
  3. [3]WADA Prohibited List — official (S2: EPO-receptor and innate-repair-receptor agonists)

Quick Reference

Class
Innate repair receptor (IRR) agonist — 11-amino-acid peptide from the tissue-protective domain of erythropoietin
Evidence Level
Limited human data
Reported Uses
3 listed
Tracking Metrics
5 suggested
Citations
3 sources

Safety & legal notes

NOT FDA-approved; investigational worldwide, though it carries FDA Orphan Drug designation for sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy. Short-term safety in small trials was good with no erythropoietic effect. PROHIBITED in sport: WADA lists erythropoietin-receptor and innate-repair-receptor agonists under Section S2, and ARA-290/cibinetide falls within the EPO-derived innate-repair-receptor-agonist category that is banned at all times. Material sold outside trials is generally 'research use only.' Long-term human safety is not established. Consult a licensed clinician.

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