ARA-290

Overview

ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix-B surface of erythropoietin (EPO), developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals. It selectively activates the innate repair receptor (IRR) for anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective, and neuroprotective signaling without stimulating erythropoiesis. ARA-290 is not FDA-approved; it has received FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy and remains in clinical development as of April 2026.

Mechanism of Action

ARA-290 selectively binds the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heterodimer of EPOR and the beta common receptor (CD131/βcR). Unlike EPO, it does not engage the homodimeric EPOR and therefore does not stimulate erythropoiesis. IRR activation engages JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways, promoting anti-apoptotic gene expression, dampening NF-κB-driven proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and supporting Schwann cell survival and axonal regeneration in damaged tissues.

Research Summary

Dahan et al. (Molecular Medicine, 2013, PMID 24136731) conducted a blinded placebo-controlled trial of 28 days of subcutaneous ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with documented small nerve fiber loss; treatment improved neuropathic symptoms, increased corneal nerve fiber density on confocal microscopy, altered thermal thresholds, and improved 6-minute walk distance. Brines et al. (Molecular Medicine, 2015, PMID 25387363) reported a placebo-controlled trial of 4 mg daily SubQ ARA 290 for 28 days in type 2 diabetes: the active arm showed improvements in HbA1c, lipid profile, and PainDetect neuropathic symptom scores, with recovery of intraepidermal nerve fiber measurements versus no change on placebo. Heij et al. (2012) and additional Phase 2 work have supported the tissue-protective signal. ARA-290 has not advanced to Phase 3 registration trials and is not FDA-approved.

Vendors selling ARA-290

Scored vendors carrying ARA-290, ranked by trust grade. Grades are computed from indexed Certificates of Analysis. Full $/mg pricing is on the comparison page.

Prescribers who offer ARA-290

4 prescribers in our directory work with ARA-290, each confirmed from their own website. Peptides like ARA-290 require a prescription from a licensed provider — telehealth options are available.

Reported Side Effects

• Injection site reactions (erythema, mild pain)
• Headache
• Mild nausea
• Upper respiratory tract symptoms

Compare ARA-290 with Others

Research References

• ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density (2013)
• ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes (2015)

Frequently asked questions

Has ARA-290 been independently lab-tested?

Disclosed Labs has collected 36 Certificates of Analysis (COA) for ARA-290 from 10 independent testing labs. 19 vendors have submitted material for testing. Products average 99.4% tested purity across the corpus. Full testing data is available at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/ara-290/testing.

What is the average purity of ARA-290 on the market?

Based on 36 COAs analyzed by Disclosed Labs, ARA-290 products average 99.4% (±0.5%) tested purity. Individual vendor results vary; see per-vendor COA data at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/ara-290/coas.

Which labs have tested ARA-290?

Independent labs that have tested ARA-290 include: ILS Labs (Grade A), Ethos Analytics (Grade B). Full lab credibility grades and profiles are at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/labs.

Where can researchers source ARA-290?

8 vendors with Disclosed Labs trust grades currently list ARA-290, including Glacier Aminos, Ion Peptide, OROS Research. Compare live prices and lab-verified COAs at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prices/ara-290.

Which prescribers offer ARA-290 with a prescription?

4 prescribers in the Disclosed Labs directory work with ARA-290, each confirmed from their own website, with telehealth options available. ARA-290 requires a prescription from a licensed provider. Browse them at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prescribers?peptide=ARA-290.

How does ARA-290 work?

ARA-290 selectively binds the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heterodimer of EPOR and the beta common receptor (CD131/βcR). Unlike EPO, it does not engage the homodimeric EPOR and therefore does not stimulate erythropoiesis. IRR activation engages JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways, promoting anti-apoptotic gene expression, dampening NF-κB-driven proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and supporting Schwann cell survival and axonal regeneration in damaged tissues.

What does the research say about ARA-290?

Dahan et al. (Molecular Medicine, 2013, PMID 24136731) conducted a blinded placebo-controlled trial of 28 days of subcutaneous ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with documented small nerve fiber loss; treatment improved neuropathic symptoms, increased corneal nerve fiber density on confocal microscopy, altered thermal thresholds, and improved 6-minute walk distance. Brines et al. (Molecular Medicine, 2015, PMID 25387363) reported a placebo-controlled trial of 4 mg daily SubQ ARA 290 for 28 days in type 2 diabetes: the active arm showed improvements in HbA1c, lipid profile, and PainDetect neuropathic symptom scores, with recovery of intraepidermal nerve fiber measurements versus no change on placebo. Heij et al. (2012) and additional Phase 2 work have supported the tissue-protective signal. ARA-290 has not advanced to Phase 3 registration trials and is not FDA-approved.