ARA-290

What is ARA-290?

ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide built from the helix-B region of erythropoietin, and it pairs real Phase 2 human trials with a narrow, niche use and a stalled development path. It activates the innate repair receptor, the EPO receptor joined to the beta-common receptor (CD131), to calm overactive innate immunity and drive small-fiber nerve repair. The clever part is what it leaves out: it skips the EPO-receptor homodimer that raises red blood cells and clotting, so you get the protective signaling of EPO without its blood risk. The headline human result is structural, with a significant rise in corneal nerve fiber area at 4 mg per day, per Culver 2017.

From the BioHarmony report, reviewed 2026-09-08.

How it is thought to work

Activates the innate repair receptor (EPO receptor plus CD131) without the EPO-receptor homodimer that raises red blood cells

Safety watch-outs

• Any active or suspected cancer: do not use
• tissue-growth-promoting agents in the EPO pathway are an unstudied risk in people.
• New or worsening allergic-type reaction at or beyond the injection site: stop and consult a clinician.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or pediatric use: no human safety data exists, so avoid.
• Product of unknown provenance or no certificate of analysis: the clean trial safety record was achieved with pharmaceutical-grade material…

Full risk profile in the BioHarmony report.

Dosing as published

No approved-label or study protocol is recorded for ARA-290 yet.

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