Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
EPO-derived peptide designed to keep tissue-protective signaling while avoiding red-blood-cell stimulation.
Also known as: cibinetide · cibinetide (INN)
Part of the Repair & recovery peptides cluster
Overview
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the helix-B surface of erythropoietin. It was engineered to engage the tissue-protective innate repair receptor without triggering erythropoiesis, and has been studied in clinical research on neuropathic and inflammatory conditions. It is not authorized by Health Canada for general use.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Synthetic peptide from the helix-B region of erythropoietin
Primary research or clinical context: Investigational / clinical-stage research compound (not authorized by Health Canada)
From erythropoietin to a repair peptide
Researchers isolated the part of the EPO molecule responsible for tissue protection rather than red-cell production and rebuilt it as a short synthetic peptide. ARA-290 selectively activates the innate repair receptor complex implicated in anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective signaling.
Clinical-research status
Under the name cibinetide, ARA-290 has been evaluated in clinical trials for conditions such as sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy and holds orphan-drug interest in some jurisdictions. Approval status varies by country; this page is educational and not medical advice.
Sequence
One-letter sequence commonly cited for ARA-290 (educational; isoforms and modifications may differ):
XEQLERALNSS
X = non-canonical residue (X in the one letter sequence is pyroglutamate (pGlu).). X marks a non-canonical residue — see the structure block below. (Plotted as alanine on the wheel.)
Residues plotted ~100° apart around an α-helix — clustering of one color reveals an amphipathic face.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- ARA-290 (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-10-01
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C51H84N16O21
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 1,257.3
X in the one letter sequence is pyroglutamate (pGlu).
- PubChem CID: 91810664
- IUPHAR ligand: 9677
- ChEMBL: CHEMBL3545305
- CAS RN: 1208243-50-8
- UNII: 9W5677JKDA
Chemistry values: IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology, PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 4 registered studies with “ARA-290” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-09-06). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT06626971 | The Use of ARA290 for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Oedema | Phase 2 | terminated | 2024-10-04 |
| NCT02039687 | Study of Efficacy of ARA 290 on Corneal Nerve Fiber Density and Neuropathic Symptoms of Subjects With Sarcoido | Phase 2 | completed | 2017-04-18 |
| NCT01933529 | ARA290 in T2D (Effects of ARA 290, an Erythropoietin Analogue) in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes) | Phase 2 | unknown | 2015-09-03 |
| NCT02070783 | Cognitive and Neural Effects of ARA290 | Phase 2 | completed | 2014-02-25 |
ARA-290 — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: ARA-290 (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 1,257.3 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
FAQ about ARA-290
What is ARA-290?+
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the helix-B surface of erythropoietin. It was engineered to engage the tissue-protective innate repair receptor without triggering erythropoiesis, and has been studied in clinical research on neuropathic and inflammatory conditions. It is not authorized by Health Canada for general use.
What Canadian product status is recorded for ARA-290?+
Canadian product status for ARA-290 has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of ARA-290?+
ARA-290 is commonly described as approximately 11 amino acids (Research peptide).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Shokrzadeh et al. (2020). An engineered non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide, ARA290, attenuates doxorubicin induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress. Toxicol In Vitro
- 2.Bitto et al. (2018). Activation of the EPOR-β common receptor complex by cibinetide ameliorates impaired wound healing in mice with genetic diabetes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis
- 3.Nairz et al. (2017). Cibinetide dampens innate immune cell functions thus ameliorating the course of experimental colitis. Sci Rep
- 4.Yao et al. (2021). Cibinetide Protects Isolated Human Islets in a Stressful Environment and Improves Engraftment in the Perspective of Intra Portal Islet Transplantation. Cell Transplant
- 5.Yao et al. (2020). Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand. Transplantation
- 6.Lois et al. (2020). A Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the Use of Cibinetide for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema. J Clin Med
- 7.Culver et al. (2017). Cibinetide Improves Corneal Nerve Fiber Abundance in Patients With Sarcoidosis-Associated Small Nerve Fiber Loss and Neuropathic Pain. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
- 8.Awida et al. (2021). The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice. Int J Mol Sci
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Cibinetide (CID 91810664)
- 10.Wikipedia — Cibinetide