ARA-290
Cibinetide
Erythropoietin-derived peptide trialled in humans for neuropathic pain.
What it is
An 11-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin, designed to retain tissue-protective activity without stimulating red blood cell production.
What it does
Acts on the innate repair receptor, studied for neuropathic pain and small-fibre neuropathy, including in sarcoidosis.
Does it work?
One of the better-evidenced compounds in the healing category, with actual human clinical trials — though for specific neuropathy indications rather than general recovery.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Trialled in humans for neuropathic pain | supported |
| Improved small-fibre neuropathy measures in sarcoidosis | partially true |
| A general-purpose healing peptide | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
82 publications indexed, but only 2 randomised controlled trials and 4 registered interventional studies. Human evidence exists but is thin.
query: "ARA-290" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
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The Roles of Mechanical Stresses in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis: Implications for Treatment of Joint Injuries
Buckwalter JA, Anderson DD, Brown TD, Tochigi Y, Martin JA. · Cartilage 2013 · 176 citations
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Diabetic Macular Edema: Current Understanding, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
Zhang J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Zhang J, Gu L, Luo D, Qiu Q. · Cells 2022 · 161 citations
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The Many Facets of Erythropoietin Physiologic and Metabolic Response
Suresh S, Rajvanshi PK, Noguchi CT. · Front Physiol 2019 · 156 citations
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Erythropoietin and its derivatives: from tissue protection to immune regulation
Peng B, Kong G, Yang C, Ming Y. · Cell Death Dis 2020 · 124 citations
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S0 (substance without any health-authority approval)
Common questions
What was ARA-290 designed to avoid?
Erythropoietin’s red-blood-cell stimulation. It keeps the tissue-protective signalling while dropping the haematological effect that made EPO dangerous off-label.
What do its human trials cover?
Neuropathic pain and small-fibre neuropathy, notably in sarcoidosis, under the development name cibinetide. Specific indications — not general recovery.
Is it approved?
No. Trials exist, which is more than most healing peptides can say, but no regulator has approved it.