ARA-290 Research Guide — What Studies Show (2026)
⚠️ Research Use Only. This post is educational and does not constitute medical advice. All peptides discussed are sold for research purposes only. See our full disclaimer.
Overview
ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin, studied for neuropathic pain and tissue repair without affecting red blood cell production.
What is ARA-290?
ARA-290, also known as cibinetide, is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B portion of erythropoietin (EPO). Unlike full-length EPO, ARA-290 does not stimulate red blood cell production but retains the tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of EPO.
The peptide binds the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta common receptor (β-cR). This receptor is expressed on damaged or stressed tissue but not on healthy bone marrow precursors, allowing ARA-290 to selectively target tissues needing repair without the cardiovascular and thrombotic risks that limit EPO use.
Clinical research has focused on neuropathic pain, particularly small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis and diabetic neuropathy. Phase 2 trials showed reduction in pain scores and improvement in corneal nerve fiber density — an objective measure of small fiber neuropathy. Other research has examined ARA-290 in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and in diabetes itself.
The extremely short plasma half-life (around 2 minutes) is mechanistically interesting — the receptor binding produces sustained tissue effects that long outlast circulating peptide levels. Research dosing has typically been 4 mg subcutaneous daily. Vendor availability of research-grade ARA-290 is limited; the compound was developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals and has not had broad research peptide market penetration.
Top Research Uses
- Neuropathic pain research
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Tissue repair
- Inflammation reduction
- Sarcoidosis research
Mechanism of Action
Activates the innate repair receptor (a heteromer of EPO receptor and beta common receptor) to reduce inflammation and promote repair
Research Parameters
| Half-Life | ~2 minutes (very short) |
| Typical Research Dose | Clinical trials used 4 mg subq daily |
| Administration Route | Subcutaneous |
| Reported Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated; no erythropoietic effects unlike full-length EPO |
Dosing ranges cited from published research literature. These are not recommendations for human use. ARA-290 is a research compound — not for human consumption.
Research Strength: Moderate
ARA-290 has a moderate research base, with a reasonable number of studies examining its proposed mechanisms. More research is ongoing.
Vendor & Sourcing Notes
Limited research-grade availability; developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals
Always request third-party HPLC purity reports and mass spectrometry verification when sourcing research peptides. Quality varies significantly between suppliers.
Research Use Only — Compliance Notice
The information on this page is intended for educational and informational purposes only. ARA-290 (Cibinetide (ARA-290)) is a research compound sold for laboratory research purposes only. It has not been approved by the FDA for human use. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice or is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any peptide-related protocols.
