Also known as: Cibinetide
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is a synthetic peptide modeled on the three-dimensional structure of erythropoietin, designed not to stimulate red blood cell production. Research consists of small phase 2 human studies and a modest body of rodent and cell work.
ARA-290 was engineered from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin and is described as nonerythropoietic [2][3]. It is reported to act through the innate repair receptor, a heteroreceptor formed by the erythropoietin receptor and the beta common receptor (CD131) [1]; a 2024 mouse study reported that its effects in brain tissue depended on the beta common receptor [5]. Proposed downstream effects include reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and reduced spinal microglial activation, based on rodent and cell findings [1][3][4].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 2 pilot study (2012) [1] | Human 22 adults completed; randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single site, 4 weeks | Exploratory endpoints: change at week 4 in small-fiber symptom score (SFNSL), pain inventory and quality-of-life scales. Published. | Peer-reviewed Molecular Medicine 2012 |
| Phase 2, metabolic and nerve-fiber endpoints [2] | Human Adults, placebo-controlled phase 2 study (published 2015). | Endpoints: HbA1c, lipid profile, PainDetect questionnaire and corneal nerve fiber density. Published. | Peer-reviewed Molecular Medicine 2015 |
| Spared nerve injury, long-term follow-up [3] | Rat Spared nerve injury model, female Sprague-Dawley rats, followed 20 weeks | Reduced mechanical and cold allodynia versus vehicle for up to 20 weeks; with a smaller rise in spinal microglia marker Iba-1. Astrocyte marker GFAP unchanged. | Peer-reviewed Molecular Pain 2014 |
| Macrophage activation and islet transplant [4] | Mouse Mouse macrophage and islet cultures; marginal islet transplant into liver of streptozotocin-treated mice | Lowered macrophage IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha secretion; researchers measured graft-function markers and hepatic cytokine mRNA (MCP-1, MIP-1beta, IL-1beta, IL-6) versus controls. | Peer-reviewed Transplantation 2016 |
| Cerebral ischemia, beta common receptor [5] | Mouse Cerebral ischemia model, mice | Researchers reported brain tissue effects of ARA-290 that were mediated through the beta common receptor (CD131). | Peer-reviewed CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics 2024 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab supplies ARA-290 (Cibinetide) for laboratory research. Lot-specific certificates of analysis are posted on the product page as they are issued.
View research-grade ARA-290