ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
An engineered non-haematopoietic erythropoietin peptide analogue that activates tissue-protective receptors without stimulating red blood cell production.
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Compound Profile
ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
Key Data
Research reference only
Research Focus
Preclinical data
⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.
- Activates the innate repair receptor (IRR/EPOR-beta) to trigger tissue protection and repair without erythropoietic effects
- Clinical data showing reduction in neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis patients (Phase 2 trial)
- Promotes beta-cell survival in pancreatic islet research - relevant to type 1 and 2 diabetes models
- ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is not FDA-approved for human use. It is a research chemical for scientific study only.
Research At a Glance
- Activates the innate repair receptor (IRR/EPOR-beta) to trigger tissue protection and repair without erythropoietic effects
- Clinical data showing reduction in neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis patients (Phase 2 trial)
- Promotes beta-cell survival in pancreatic islet research - relevant to type 1 and 2 diabetes models
- Anti-inflammatory effects: reduces TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6 without immunosuppression
In Plain English
Simple summaryARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino acid cyclic peptide derived from the three-dimensional structure of erythropoietin (EPO) -- specifically the helix B region that mediates tissue-protective effects without triggering red blood cell production. This distinction matters enormously. EPO itself is a powerful erythropoiesis stimulator used (and abused) in endurance sports, but it also has documented neuroprotective and tissue-protective effects that are independent of its blood-building role. ARA-290 captures that second set of effects by binding innate repair receptors (a complex of the EPO receptor and CD131 beta chain) while having essentially no effect on red blood cell counts. It has been studied most extensively in painful diabetic neuropathy, where it showed meaningful pain and nerve fiber density improvements in Phase 2 trials.
- Activates the innate repair receptor (IRR/EPOR-beta) to trigger tissue protection and repair without erythropoietic effects
- Clinical data showing reduction in neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis patients (Phase 2 trial)
- Promotes beta-cell survival in pancreatic islet research - relevant to type 1 and 2 diabetes models
The full scientific detail, mechanisms, citations, and dosing data, follows below.
What is ARA-290 (Cibinetide)?
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ARA-290, also known as Cibinetide, is an 11-amino acid cyclic peptide engineered by Araim Pharmaceuticals to selectively activate the "innate repair receptor" (IRR) - a heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the beta-common receptor (beta-c, also called CD131). This receptor complex mediates the tissue-protective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) but is distinct from the homodimeric EPOR that drives red blood cell production.
This distinction is the key innovation of ARA-290. Erythropoietin itself activates both receptor types - the haematopoietic EPOR homodimer that stimulates erythropoiesis, and the tissue-protective IRR heterodimer. While EPO has documented tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory properties, using it therapeutically to access those effects is complicated by the concurrent stimulation of red blood cell production, which raises the risk of polycythaemia, hypertension, and thromboembolism. ARA-290 was specifically engineered to bind only the IRR/EPOR-beta heterodimer, completely decoupling tissue protection from haematopoiesis.
The mechanism of IRR activation triggers an anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory intracellular cascade including PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT5 signalling. These pathways promote cellular survival under hypoxic and ischaemic conditions, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and stimulate repair processes in damaged tissue. ARA-290 essentially activates an endogenous stress-response pathway that EPO naturally engages but that can now be targeted without blood count side effects.
Clinical development has focused on peripheral neuropathy as the lead indication. A Phase 2 randomised controlled trial in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy showed statistically significant reductions in neuropathic pain scores after 28 days of 4 mg/day subcutaneous administration. This represented a meaningful clinical finding for a patient population with very limited treatment options.
Preclinical research has documented ARA-290's effectiveness across multiple models: ischaemia-reperfusion injury in kidney and heart, peripheral nerve regeneration (promoting axonal regrowth and Schwann cell migration), diabetic neuropathy (both structural nerve preservation and functional improvement), beta-cell protection in the context of islet transplantation, and traumatic brain injury.
The fact that ARA-290 lacks haematopoietic activity fundamentally changes the risk calculus for chronic administration compared to EPO, making it potentially suitable for long-term therapeutic use in degenerative conditions. Research continues across a range of conditions where tissue protection and anti-inflammatory activity are therapeutic objectives.
By the Numbers
Key Research Benefits
Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on ARA-290 (Cibinetide). See all Immune System peptides for comparison.
Side Effects & Risks
Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports. View all peptides' side effects →
Dosing Data from the Literature
Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.
Phase 2 clinical studies in sarcoidosis-related neuropathy used 4 mg/day subcutaneous injection for 28 days with significant reduction in neuropathic pain scores.
In diabetes/islet transplant research: 1-4 mg/day SC For neuropathy models: 4 mg/day SC for 28-day protocols Ischaemia-reperfusion injury models: administered peri-procedurally in animal studies
The non-haematopoietic design means there is no dose-dependent concern about polycythaemia (red blood cell excess) that would limit use of erythropoietin itself.
Administration in Research Settings
Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.
Administer subcutaneously once daily. Reconstitute lyophilised ARA-290 with sterile saline or bacteriostatic water. Standard injection sites: abdomen or outer thigh.
The peptide can be administered before, during, or after ischaemic events in procedural research contexts. For chronic neuropathy models, once-daily dosing for 28 days has been the most studied protocol.
Store at 2-8°C after reconstitution. Lyophilised: -20°C long-term.
What the research doesn't show
Phase 2 results in painful diabetic neuropathy were encouraging but the trial sizes were small (around 40-50 subjects). The sarcoidosis orphan designation opened a different development path. As of mid-2026, ARA-290 hasn't reached Phase 3 completion, so the full clinical picture is still developing. The mechanism is scientifically sound; the regulatory path is what's uncertain.
Medical Expert Videos
Physicians, researchers, and pharmacologists explain ARA-290 (Cibinetide), covering mechanisms of action, clinical context, and study findings.
Videos sourced from YouTube search. KnowYourPeptide does not endorse any individual creator. For research education only.
The Bottom Line
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) has a growing body of preclinical evidence and a well-characterised safety profile in research settings. The most-studied application is: activates the innate repair receptor (irr/epor-beta) to trigger tissue protection and repair without erythropoietic effects.
The most commonly reported side effect in research subjects is generally well-tolerated in clinical trials with mild side effect profile. It is a research chemical, not approved for human use.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Quick Reference
How It Compares
Full-length EPO has far more tissue-protective data but comes with serious risks: elevated red blood cell count, thrombosis, and cardiovascular complications at pharmacological doses. ARA-290 was designed specifically to avoid these. BPC-157 also promotes nerve healing but through completely different pathways (nitric oxide, angiogenesis). Among peptides with actual Phase 2 human data for neuropathy, ARA-290 is one of the few.
Compare ARA-290 (Cibinetide) side-by-sideResearch Use Only
This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.