Ara 290
Tissue-Protective Peptide | Innate Repair Receptor Agonist
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What is Ara 290?
Ara 290 (also called Cibinetide) is a lab-made peptide modeled on part of the natural hormone erythropoietin, but engineered to activate a different receptor pathway so it doesn't stimulate red blood cell production the way erythropoietin does. Researchers have studied it in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for tissue-protective and nerve-related research, and it holds FDA Orphan Drug status for several indications. Research-grade Ara 290 sold here is intended for laboratory research use only, not human or animal use.
Key terms:
Ara 290 is a synthetic heptapeptide.
Ara 290 (Cibinetide) is a lab-made peptide of 11 amino acids, modeled on erythropoietin (the hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells). It switches on a different target, the Innate Repair Receptor (IRR), which is linked to tissue protection. It does not raise red blood cell production. It has finished several Phase 2 clinical trials and holds FDA Orphan Drug status for several conditions.
Key research areas
- Tissue-protective effects reported in clinical trials
- Nerve regeneration effects reported in Phase 2 trials
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Favorable safety profile reported in clinical trials
- No hematopoietic effects or risk of polycythemia
Researched dosing
This table shows how researchers structure clinical study designs with Ara 290 — the dose ranges and schedules used in published trials, presented as research methodology, not usage instructions.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropathy models | 4 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
| Tissue-protection models | 1-8 mg daily | Once daily | Subcutaneous |
| Acute-phase protocols | 2 mg | 3x weekly | Intravenous |
| Standard study protocol | 4 mg daily | Once daily for 28 days | Subcutaneous |
Commonly cycled 4 weeks on, 0+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, Ara 290 research looks at how the peptide activates a tissue-protective receptor pathway related to erythropoietin's receptor, without triggering red-blood-cell production — the terms below just name that signaling route.
Activates Innate Repair Receptor (IRR) through EPOR/β-common receptor complex, triggering tissue-protective signaling without erythropoietic effects
Pharmacokinetics
This chart shows how quickly a research dose of Ara 290 is absorbed and cleared in the study literature — read it like a timer: the peak is when levels are highest, then the curve trails off as the compound clears.
- Peak
- 0.333 hr
- Half-life
- 0.333 hrs
- Cleared
- ~0 hrs
Based on pharmacokinetic studies
Research applications
This section lists the body systems and research areas scientists have studied for Ara 290 — largely nerve and tissue-protection research from Phase 2 trials — summarizing what's been studied in the literature, not medical claims about people.
Neuroprotection
23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area demonstrated in clinical trials, with sustained improvement in neuropathic pain. Significant nerve regeneration and metabolic improvements in Type 2 diabetes patients with peripheral neuropathy. Crosses blood-brain barrier to provide neuroprotection in stroke and traumatic brain injury models.
Anti Inflammatory
Activates tissue-protective signaling pathways that reduce inflammation in multiple tissue types.
Tissue Repair
Studied for effects on tissue repair and wound healing through IRR activation in preclinical and clinical research.
Autoimmune
Modulates immune response through EPOR/β-common receptor complex without erythropoietic effects.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 4 mg
- Frequency in studies
- Once daily
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- Initial effects: 7-14 days, Peak benefits: 4-6 weeks, Sustained effects: 6+ months
- Storage
- Powder: -80°C long-term, 4°C medium-term; Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Cycle length
- 28 days standard protocol
- Break between cycles
- Variable based on indication, clinical trials used single 28-day cycles
Interactions
This list shows which other tissue-protective peptides and compounds researchers study alongside Ara 290, and flags pairings that call for extra caution in a research setting.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried Ara 290 powder into a liquid research solution, with extra care for light exposure.
- Allow vial to reach room temperature (15-20 minutes)
- Clean vial top with alcohol swab
- Slowly inject 1 mL sterile water into vial
- Gently swirl to dissolve (do not shake vigorously)
- Solution may appear slightly cloudy - this is normal
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: -80°C long-term, 4°C medium-term, use within Extended when frozen
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within Up to 24 hours; use immediately when possible
Open the Ara 290 reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the manufacturing and lab-report checks researchers use to confirm an Ara 290 sample is pure and correctly identified — a quick sanity check against the Certificate of Analysis (COA), not a guarantee.
Pharmaceutical grade manufacturing - Clinical trial material manufactured under GMP conditions with full quality documentation
Proper peptide sequence verification - Correct 11-amino acid sequence (pGlu-Glu-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser) with N-terminal pyroglutamate
Sterile lyophilized powder - Proper freeze-drying with excipients like sucrose or mannitol for stability and sterility
Light-sensitive formulation - Requires protection from light during storage, reconstitution, and administration
Clinical batch documentation - Certificates of analysis showing purity >95%, endotoxin levels <1 EU/mg, and sterility testing
Cloudy or discolored solution - Reconstituted solution should be clear to slightly cloudy and colorless - discoloration indicates degradation
What to expect
This timeline summarizes what the clinical trial literature reports at each study stage — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
Initial anti-inflammatory effects, potential mild improvement in pain symptoms
Progressive nerve regeneration, improved tissue healing markers, enhanced wound healing if applicable
Peak therapeutic effects, maximum nerve fiber density improvements, sustained pain relief
Long-lasting benefits continue due to "molecular switch" effect, sustained tissue protection
Safety notes
This section covers Ara 290's regulatory status and handling notes — including its Orphan Drug designation and the medications it should not be studied alongside — reference context for laboratory researchers, not medical guidance.
- Contraindicated with recent anti-TNF therapy (within 6 months) or EPO use (within 2 months)
- Not recommended during pregnancy or in patients with BMI >34 kg/m²
- Monitor for injection site reactions and rotate injection sites
- Not FDA-approved; holds FDA Orphan Drug status for several indications
- No anti-drug antibodies detected in human studies
- No hematopoietic effects or risk of polycythemia unlike erythropoietin
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
References
Ara 290 protection against inflammatory damage in human pancreatic islets, supporting potential in diabetes treatment and transplantation.
Good safety profile and improved patient-reported outcomes in diabetic macular edema.
23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area at 4 mg dose in sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy. Significant nerve regeneration and pain reduction in moderate-severe cases.