ARA-290 (Cibinetide)
Aliases: Cibinetide · Helix B surface peptide · HBSP · ARA290
Last verified: 2026-09-24
The short version
ARA-290 is a neat example of a 'halfway' substance: a serious development program, a real receptor, published human data — and then silence. The open-label sarcoidosis study was impressive (neuropathic pain significantly lower), but the randomized phase 2b did not deliver the same effect, a classic pattern of early small samples. The community uses it as an 'anti-inflammatory regeneration peptide', although the most interesting finding in the literature is actually improved insulin resistance in a small study — but one small study is a curiosity, not proof.
Identity & type
- Molecular type
- peptide
- Sequence / structure
- 11-mer helix-B derived
- Molecular weight
- ~1.3 kDa
- Origin
- Synthetic fragment of human erythropoietin's helix B; designed to retain tissue protection without hematopoietic effect.
Mechanism of action
An eleven-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin's helix B; agonist of the 'innate repair receptor' (IRR, an EPO receptor/CD131 heterodimer) that triggers anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective pathways without erythropoiesis — the effect of EPO separated from raising red blood cells.
not confirmed in humans
Dosing & routes
Official / clinical context
No approved documents exist; all regimens come from trials or the community.
Regulator-approved labeling and published study designs — never a recommendation.
Community-reported practice
Usually 2–5 mg SC weekly, 4–8 weeks, often combined with BPC-157/TB-500 in 'regenerative' stacks. Reports are subjective: fewer inflammatory complaints, better recovery.
Unverified self-reports. Not medical advice. Not endorsement.
Protocol — official vs community
Official / label
No approved protocol exists — development was discontinued. In trials, cibinetide was given subcutaneously at roughly 2–5 mg once or twice weekly (sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy studies ran up to ~6 weeks).
Duration: Trial courses of 4–6 weeks in the neuropathy program; no chronic protocol was established.
The rationale — EPO's tissue-protective signaling without erythropoiesis via the innate repair receptor — is mechanistically elegant and produced real trial data, but the program did not reach approval.
Community (anecdotal)
Where it appears in research-chemical markets, 1–4 mg SC once or twice weekly loosely mirrors the trial range. Approximate and unvalidated outside trial monitoring.
- Cycle:
- 4–6 weeks, tracking the sarcoidosis-neuropathy trial design.
- Break:
- 4+ weeks off; no standardized rationale.
ARA-290 is one of the few gray-market peptides whose community dosing is anchored in actual human trial data — but trial-grade product verification and monitoring are exactly what the community version lacks.
Human evidence
They exist — small phase 2 trials with signals in neuropathy and metabolic resistance, but without confirmation in larger randomized studies. 'Limited' is the precise rating.
Preclinical evidence
Solid: models of nerve injury, retinopathy and inflammation show protective effects; the IRR mechanism is reasonably characterized.
Known risks
- Peptide immunogenicity (theoretical; short-term use in trials was safe)theoretical
- Unverified quality of gray-market productscharacterized
Teal: characterized in clinical/labeling contexts. Amber: theoretical or reported outside controlled settings.
Unknowns & evidence gaps
- Whether the neuropathy effect survives randomization in larger trials
- Long-term safety and effect on insulin resistance
Frequently asked questions
References
- Heij L et al. — ARA 290 in sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy (open-label trial)
- Brines M, Cerami A — the innate repair receptor concept
- Phase 2 studies in diabetic neuropathy and metabolic syndrome