Ara 290
Tissue-Protective Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist
Ara 290 is an engineered 11-amino acid peptide activating the Innate Repair Receptor (IRR) to provide tissue-protective effects without red blood cell stimulation. Has FDA Orphan Drug status.
Overview
Ara 290 is an engineered 11-amino acid peptide activating the Innate Repair Receptor (IRR) to provide tissue-protective effects without red blood cell stimulation. Has FDA Orphan Drug status.
Activates IRR through EPOR/β-common receptor complex, triggering tissue-protective signaling without erythropoietic effects.
Research indications
What the compound has been studied for, grouped by body system. Effect size is the reported magnitude where it was measured — not a recommendation.
23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area with sustained pain improvement.
Nerve regeneration and metabolic improvements in Type 2 diabetes patients.
Crosses blood-brain barrier for stroke and TBI neuroprotection.
Improves epithelialization and angiogenesis via VEGF upregulation.
Reduces infarct size in myocardial infarction models.
Maintains cardiac function in aging models.
Reduces TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 production.
Reduces colitis severity in animal models.
Improves graft survival and reduces rejection.
A large effect in a weak study and a small effect in a strong one are different things. Effect size is never evidence of use in people.
- Class
- Engineered peptide
- Chain length
- 11 residues
- Molecular weight
- 1257 Da
- Half-life
- ~20 min
- Typical dose
- 4 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Cycle length
- 28 days
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2-8°C refrigerated, protect from light. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate up to 24 hours
Molecular data
- Type
- Engineered peptide
- Molecular weight
- 1257 Da
- Chain length
- 11 residues
- Half-life
- 20 min
Dosing reference
Doses reported in the literature and by suppliers. These are a record of what has been used in research — reference, never instruction.
| Context | Route | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropathy Treatment | SubQ | 4 mg daily | Once daily |
| Tissue Protection | SubQ | 1-8 mg daily | Once daily |
| Acute Intervention | IV | 2 mg | 3x weekly |
Interactions
Complementary tissue repair pathways may enhance wound healing.
Combined mechanisms enhance recovery from injury.
No known interactions; different mechanisms for tissue protection.
Clinical trials exclude EPO use within 2 months due to receptor interference.
Both affect cellular metabolism; monitor for additive effects.
No adverse interactions in clinical trials with GLP-1 agonists.
Both affect tissue repair; requires monitoring for excessive growth factor activity.
6-month washout required before Ara 290 to avoid immune interactions.
Quality checklist
- ✓Pharmaceutical grade manufacturing with GMP conditions
- ✓Proper peptide sequence verification - correct 11-amino acid sequence with N-terminal pyroglutamate
- ✓Sterile lyophilized powder with proper freeze-drying
- ✓Clinical batch documentation - Purity >95%, endotoxin <1 EU/mg, sterility verified
- !Light-sensitive formulation - requires protection during storage and use
- ×Cloudy or discolored solution indicates degradation; should be clear to slightly cloudy
What to expect
Safety
- Excellent safety profile in clinical trials with no serious drug-related adverse events
- Severe injection site reactions
- Unexpected blood count changes
- Allergic reaction signs
- Worsening of underlying condition
- New neurological symptoms
- Any serious adverse events
- Recent anti-TNF therapy (within 6 months)
- EPO use (within 2 months)
- Pregnancy
- BMI > 34 kg/m²
FAQ
How does Ara-290 differ from erythropoietin (EPO) for neuroprotection?
Ara-290 is an engineered 11-amino acid peptide derived from EPO structure that activates the Innate Repair Receptor (IRR) without triggering erythropoiesis. It provides tissue protection and nerve regeneration like EPO but without red blood cell stimulation, polycythemia risk, or thrombotic complications.
What's the timeline for nerve regeneration with Ara-290 in diabetic neuropathy?
Phase 2 trials showed 23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area at 4mg daily for 28 days, with sustained pain improvements. Nerve fiber regeneration markers appeared within weeks 2-4, with peak therapeutic effects and maximum improvements by week 4-6. Benefits persist via molecular switch effects through month 2-6.
Can I combine Ara-290 with other neuroprotective peptides like BPC-157?
Yes. BPC-157 and Ara-290 target complementary tissue repair pathways with no known direct interactions. TB-500 is also synergistic. These combinations likely enhance recovery from injury, though clinical data on simultaneous use doesn't exist.
Why must I avoid anti-TNF biologics or recent EPO use before starting Ara-290?
Anti-TNF therapy requires 6-month washout before Ara-290 due to immune interaction risks. EPO use requires 2-month washout because both target related receptor pathways. These washout periods prevent unpredictable receptor interference and potential adverse immune effects from concurrent use.
References
- 1A Small Nonerythropoietic Helix B Surface Peptide Based Upon Erythropoietin Structure Is Cardioprotective Against Ischemic Myocardial DamageBrines M, Patel NSA, Villa P, et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2008
Engineered helix B surface peptide (pHBSP/ARA-290) from EPO structure. Increased reactive oxygen species threshold for mitochondrial permeability transition by 40%. Reduced ischemic myocardial infarct size equivalent to EPO without erythropoietic effects.
reviewPubMed 18676614 ↗ - 2Neuroprotection with an Erythropoietin Mimetic Peptide (pHBSP) in a Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Complicated by Hemorrhagic ShockRobertson CS, Garcia R, Gaddam SSK, et al. · Journal of Neurotrauma · 2013
pHBSP reduced contusion volume from 20.8mm3 (control) to 5.9mm3. Improved cerebral blood flow recovery and beam-walking performance. Neuroprotective effects similar to EPO without thrombotic risk.
reviewPubMed 21545288 ↗ - 3ARA 290, a Nonerythropoietic Peptide Engineered from Erythropoietin, Improves Metabolic Control and Neuropathic Symptoms in Patients with Type 2 DiabetesBrines M, Dunne AN, van Velzen M, et al. · Molecular Medicine · 2015
Phase 2 trial, 4mg SC daily for 28 days in T2DM patients. Improvement in HbA1c and lipid profiles sustained 4 weeks post-dosing. Neuropathic symptoms significantly improved. Corneal nerve fiber density increased.
human-pilotPubMed 25387363 ↗ - 4Cibinetide Improves Corneal Nerve Fiber Abundance in Patients With Sarcoidosis-Associated Small Nerve Fiber Loss and Neuropathic PainDahan A, Brines M, Niesters M, Cerami A, van Velzen M · Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2017
Phase 2b trial, 64 subjects with sarcoid neuropathy, 1-8mg SC daily for 28 days. Cibinetide significantly increased corneal and skin small nerve fiber abundance, consistent with disease-modifying effect. 23% increase in corneal nerve fiber area at 4mg dose.
human-pilotPubMed 28475703 ↗ - 5A Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the Use of Cibinetide for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular EdemaLois N, Gardner E, McFarland M, et al. · Translational Vision Science & Technology · 2020
9 patients, 4mg SC daily for 12 weeks. No serious adverse events. Improvement in NEI VFQ-25 composite quality of life scores. Some participants showed improvements in CRT, tear production, diabetic control, and albuminuria.
reviewPubMed 32674280 ↗