What Is ARA-290 (Cibinetide)? An EPO-Derived Research Peptide

ARA-290, also called cibinetide, is an 11–amino-acid peptide derived from the helix-B domain of erythropoietin (EPO) that selectively targets the innate repair receptor (IRR / EPOR–βcR) without the erythropoietic (red-blood-cell–stimulating) effects of EPO. It has been studied in preclinical models and clinical trials as a tissue-protection and small-fiber-neuropathy research candidate. Note: ARA-290 is offered — where available — strictly as a research-use-only (RUO) material. It is not a drug, supplement, or therapy, and nothing here is medical advice. Bolt Peptide does not stock ARA-290.

Quick facts

• Class: EPO-derived helix-B (non-erythropoietic) peptide
• Target: innate repair receptor (a heterodimer of the EPO receptor and the β-common receptor / CD131)
• Research focus: tissue protection and small-fiber neuropathy research
• Length: 11 amino acids, modeled on erythropoietin’s helix-B surface
• Status: investigational — not approved by the FDA for any use

What is ARA-290?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is best known for stimulating red-blood-cell production, but laboratory work has long suggested it also has tissue-protective signaling separate from that erythropoietic activity. ARA-290 (cibinetide) was engineered to isolate that second activity. It is a short, linear 11–amino-acid peptide based on the helix-B surface region of the EPO molecule — the portion researchers associate with tissue protection rather than red-cell stimulation. Because of this design, ARA-290 is described in the literature as a “non-erythropoietic” EPO derivative: in studies it engages the tissue-protective pathway while reportedly not driving the increases in red-cell mass linked to full EPO.

What does the research show?

ARA-290 has been examined in published, peer-reviewed clinical trials, summarized here for educational purposes only. In a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss, investigators reported that 28 days of daily administration was associated with changes in neuropathic symptom scores and an increase in corneal small-nerve-fiber density measured by corneal confocal microscopy (Dahan et al., 2013). A separate randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study in patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathic pain reported changes in metabolic and neuropathic measures over a 28-day course (Brines et al., 2015). These are investigational findings reported by the trial authors in the peer-reviewed literature. They describe outcomes observed in supervised clinical research settings — they are not endorsements, are not generalizable benefit claims, and do not establish that ARA-290 is safe or effective for any use.

Mechanisms studied in the lab

• Innate repair receptor (IRR): ARA-290 is reported to act through a heterodimeric receptor combining the EPO receptor and the β-common receptor (CD131), distinct from the classic homodimeric EPO receptor that drives erythropoiesis.
• Anti-inflammatory / tissue-protective signaling: in research models the peptide is associated with dampening of inflammatory processes and signaling linked to tissue repair.
• No erythropoiesis: across the cited studies, researchers reported no clinically significant changes in hematological parameters — consistent with separating tissue protection from red-cell stimulation.

Research status

ARA-290 (cibinetide) remains investigational. It has been evaluated in early-phase (Phase 2) clinical trials but, as of this writing, is not approved by the FDA for any indication. Any ARA-290 material offered in the research market is a research-use-only chemical intended for in-vitro and laboratory study by qualified researchers — not for human or veterinary use.

Related research peptides

Bolt Peptide does not stock ARA-290. If you are exploring tissue-protection or repair-focused research compounds, browse our full research peptide catalog. For another widely studied peptide in tissue-repair research, see our overview of BPC-157.

FAQ

Is ARA-290 the same as EPO? No. ARA-290 is a small 11–amino-acid peptide modeled on one region of the EPO molecule. It is studied specifically because it is reported to engage EPO’s tissue-protective pathway without the red-blood-cell–stimulating (erythropoietic) effect of full erythropoietin.

Is ARA-290 FDA approved? No. It is investigational and has only been studied in clinical trials. It is not approved for any medical use.

Does Bolt Peptide sell ARA-290? No. This article is educational. Browse our research peptide catalog for the compounds we do carry, all supplied for research use only.

References

1. Dahan A, et al. ARA 290 improves symptoms in sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density. Mol Med. 2013.
2. Brines M, et al. ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in type 2 diabetes. Mol Med. 2015.

For research use only. ARA-290 (cibinetide) is investigational and not FDA-approved; not for human or veterinary use. Bolt Peptide does not stock it. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.