Verified July 2026 · Cited to primary sources
ARA-290 (Cibinetide): Evidence Grade C. Early / foreign human data only.
The honest verdict
The most scientifically elegant peptide in this group: an EPO fragment engineered to keep the tissue-repair upside and drop the blood-clotting downside, with small human trials actually showing small nerve fibers regrowing. That is genuinely novel. But novel is not the same as proven, and the whole human record is a handful of small trials in one rare disease. Grade C. Worth watching for its neuropathy potential, not something to buy as a research chemical and inject based on a couple of pilot studies.
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) at a glance
- Class
- Innate repair receptor agonist (EPO-derived peptide)
- Mechanism
- Cibinetide is a short peptide based on a region of erythropoietin (EPO). Crucially, it does NOT stimulate red blood cell production the way EPO does. Instead it activates the innate repair receptor, a heteroreceptor complex, which switches on anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective, tissue-regenerating signaling. In the neuropathy studies this shows up as actual regrowth of small nerve fibers. That separation of tissue repair from the blood-thickening effects of EPO is the whole point of the molecule.
- Also known as
- ARA290, Cibinetide, ARA 290, pHBSP
- Research applications
- Small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis (lead indication)
- Neuropathic pain
- Diabetic and metabolic neuropathy
- Corneal nerve regeneration
- Anti-inflammatory tissue protection research
- Forms
- Subcutaneous injection, Intravenous infusion (used in early trials)
- Legal status
- Research-only
- WADA (anti-doping)
- As an EPO-derived peptide it deserves a second look, but because it does not stimulate erythropoiesis it is not a classic blood-doping agent. It is not specifically named on the WADA Prohibited List. Not established as performance-enhancing.
- Evidence grade
- Grade CEarly / foreign human data only
How we grade evidence
Every grade comes from a fixed A to F rubric: human-trial strength, not hype or affiliate status. Last verified July 6, 2026.
What is ARA-290 (Cibinetide)?
An 11-amino-acid fragment derived from erythropoietin that triggers tissue repair without boosting red blood cells. It has small positive human nerve-regeneration trials, which makes it an honest C.
Cibinetide is a short peptide based on a region of erythropoietin (EPO). Crucially, it does NOT stimulate red blood cell production the way EPO does. Instead it activates the innate repair receptor, a heteroreceptor complex, which switches on anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective, tissue-regenerating signaling. In the neuropathy studies this shows up as actual regrowth of small nerve fibers. That separation of tissue repair from the blood-thickening effects of EPO is the whole point of the molecule.
How strong is the evidence for ARA-290 (Cibinetide)?
Small but real human trials, which is textbook C. An initial randomized double-blind pilot (n=22) in sarcoidosis small fiber neuropathy showed good tolerability and symptom improvement. A follow-up double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=38) found a significant increase in corneal nerve fiber density (about 14.5% up in the treatment group vs a decline in placebo), suggesting genuine nerve regeneration, and a later larger phase 2 (n=64) reinforced the corneal-nerve and pain signals. These are the first data showing a drug can regrow small nerve fibers, which is meaningful, but the trials are small, single-indication, and not confirmed in a pivotal phase 3. Not FDA-approved.
Primary sources (1)
Is ARA-290 (Cibinetide) legal? (Status July 2026)
No legal supervised US route.
What is ARA-290 (Cibinetide) used for?
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is marketed for the goals below. See how it ranks against other peptides in each, by evidence, not hype.
What does ARA-290 (Cibinetide) cost, and how do you access it legally?
Typical cost
$60 to $150 per vial (research-grade, typically 2mg to 16mg)
Sold as a research-grade peptide of unverified purity. There is no approved cibinetide product, so consumer material is unregulated. It is expensive relative to its slim evidence base.
No legal supervised access route right now.
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) has no compliant US route today. Vials sold "for research use only" are a gray-market fig-leaf, not a legal loophole, so we don't link them. If you pursue ARA-290 (Cibinetide), do it with a licensed clinician, and re-check its legal status first.
Is ARA-290 (Cibinetide)safe? Side effects & risks
The trials consistently reported no significant safety issues and, by design, it avoids the thrombotic red-cell risks of full EPO, which is a real advantage. But total human exposure is small (dozens to low hundreds of patients, weeks of dosing), so long-term safety is unknown. It is not FDA-approved, so US access is research-only with no manufacturing oversight, and dosing outside the studied neuropathy protocols has no safety basis. Reserve judgment and do not self-administer.
Medical disclaimer: This page is independent editorial information, not medical advice, and Best Peptide For That is not a medical provider. We do not provide dosing. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any peptide or medication. Full medical disclaimer.
FAQ
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) FAQ
What makes ARA-290 different from EPO?
It is derived from erythropoietin but activates only the innate repair receptor, so it drives tissue repair and nerve regeneration without stimulating red blood cell production. That means it avoids EPO's blood-thickening and clotting risks.
Is there human evidence it works?
Yes, but small. Two randomized placebo-controlled trials in sarcoidosis small fiber neuropathy showed increased corneal nerve fiber density and reduced neuropathic pain. It is one of the first drugs shown to regrow small nerve fibers, but the trials are small and limited to one condition.
Is it approved or safe?
It is not FDA-approved and remains research-only. Trials reported no major safety issues, but the total human experience is small and long-term safety is unknown, so it is not something to self-administer.
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