At a glance
Type
EPO-derived peptide (non-erythropoietic)
Molecular weight
≈1257.3 g/mol
Studied for
Nerve repairNeuropathic painAnti-inflammatory
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is a small 11-amino-acid peptide engineered from erythropoietin (EPO) — but with the red-blood-cell-boosting effect stripped out. It keeps only EPO’s tissue-protective, anti-inflammatory side, which is why it is studied for nerve and tissue repair.
How ARA-290 works
ARA-290 is built from the helix-B surface of EPO. Rather than activating the classic EPO receptor that raises red-cell counts, it selectively switches on the “innate repair receptor” (a complex of the EPO receptor and CD131). Through that receptor it produces tissue-protective, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic signalling — without EPO’s effects on blood. It has been studied mainly in small-fibre neuropathy and neuropathic pain.
What the research shows
- Sarcoidosis neuropathy (Dahan et al., 2013). A randomised placebo-controlled trial found 28 days of ARA-290 improved neuropathic symptoms and increased corneal nerve-fibre density.
- Type 2 diabetes (Brines et al., 2015). A double-blind trial reported improved neuropathic symptoms and metabolic markers.
- Investigational review (van Velzen et al., 2014). Reviewed ARA-290’s investigational role in sarcoidosis-related small-fibre neuropathy.
Candour: the evidence is limited to early-phase human trials (small, short) plus preclinical work; ARA-290 is not an established therapy. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | EPO-derived peptide (11 aa) · non-erythropoietic |
| Also known as | Cibinetide (helix-B surface peptide) |
| Molecular formula | C51H84N16O21 |
| Molecular weight | ≈1257.3 g/mol |
| CAS number | 1208243-50-8 |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness ARA-290 is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Dahan A, et al. ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density. Mol Med. 2013;19(1):334–345. PubMed
- Brines M, et al. ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mol Med. 2015;20:658–666. PubMed
- van Velzen M, et al. ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2014;23(4):541–550. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
