ARA-290: sourcing, documentation and price

ARA-290, also known as cibinetide, is a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the erythropoietin (EPO) structure but engineered to lack erythropoietic activity. Its formal name is ARA-290; synonyms include cibinetide and the investigational code ARA 290. The peptide sequence is not provided in the evidence block, nor are its molecular formula or weight. It is classified as a non-hematopoietic erythropoietin analogue and is supplied for laboratory research use only. The work described here centres on the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromeric receptor complex that mediates tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signalling without stimulating red blood cell production [2].

As a research compound, ARA-290 is available through research-supply catalogues, including our own ARA-290 (5 mg). Documentation typically includes a certificate of analysis (CoA) confirming identity and purity, and pricing reflects the cost of synthesis, purification and quality control. The sections below summarise the clinical studies that have been registered or reported for ARA-290, with a focus on the mechanisms, tissues and models investigated. Where evidence is animal-only or in vitro, this is stated plainly.

Research Studies

ARA-290 and diabetic macular oedema in type 1 or 2 diabetes

A phase II, prospective, open-label, interventional, single-centre, investigator-led trial (ARA 290-DMO) examined the effect of ARA-290 on diabetic macular oedema (DMO) in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes [1]. The primary objective was to determine whether ARA-290 administered at a daily dose of 4 mg subcutaneously for 12 weeks would produce a beneficial effect on mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 12 [1]. The study population comprised patients with diabetes mellitus and DMO. No results are reported in the evidence block.

ARA-290 and corneal nerve fibre density in sarcoidosis small fibre neuropathy

A separate study investigated ARA-290 in subjects with sarcoidosis and symptoms of small fibre neuropathy [2]. The purpose was to determine whether ARA-290 is effective in treating neuropathic symptoms of sarcoidosis. The proposed mechanism involves brief interaction of ARA-290 with the innate repair receptor, resulting in anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities across various cells, tissues and organs, thereby activating repair mechanisms and accelerating healing, including nerve damage associated with sarcoidosis [2]. In this study, subjects received ARA-290 or placebo by subcutaneous injection daily for 28 days, with monitoring of safety and symptoms [2]. The population was adults with sarcoidosis and small fibre neuropathy. No efficacy results are provided in the evidence block.

ARA-290 and glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

A study in persons with prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance, IGT, or impaired fasting glucose, IFG) or drug-naive type 2 diabetes assessed whether ARA-290 exerts beneficial effects on blood glucose levels and insulin secretion [3]. Secondary objectives included effects on insulin sensitivity and serum levels of inflammatory agents such as cytokines. Safety was monitored via haematology, kidney and liver function, and lipid levels [3]. The population was adults with prediabetes or drug-naive type 2 diabetes. No results are reported in the evidence block.

ARA-290 and cognitive and neural processing of emotions in healthy volunteers

A study in healthy volunteers examined the effects of ARA-290 on cognitive and neural processing of emotions [4]. The rationale referenced prior findings that erythropoietin (EPO) may have antidepressant properties, but EPO carries risks such as thrombosis with repeated administration. ARA-290 is a peptide that lacks EPO's effects on blood cells but may still influence brain function. The study hypothesised that a single dose of ARA-290 would lead to a positive shift in information processing compared to placebo at 7 days post-administration [4]. The population was healthy volunteers. No results are reported in the evidence block.

ARA-290 and tissue repair in regenerative medicine: review context

A narrative review of regenerative peptides in chronic pain management and tissue repair summarised evidence on several compounds, including BPC-157, TB-4, TB-500 and GHK-Cu [5]. ARA-290 is not named in the excerpt provided, and no specific findings for ARA-290 are reported in the evidence block. This reference is included for context only and does not constitute primary evidence for ARA-290.

ARA-290 and the innate repair receptor: mechanistic basis

The studies above share a common mechanistic thread: interaction with the innate repair receptor (IRR). According to the sarcoidosis study description, brief interaction of ARA-290 with the IRR results in anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities in a variety of cells, tissues and organs, activating repair mechanisms and accelerating healing [2]. This mechanism is described in the context of nerve damage associated with sarcoidosis, but the evidence block does not provide primary in vitro or animal data for ARA-290 beyond this description. The cognitive study notes that ARA-290 is a peptide that does not have EPO's effects on blood cells but may still affect brain function [4], consistent with non-hematopoietic signalling via the IRR.

ARA-290 and safety monitoring across clinical studies

Safety monitoring was a component of several studies. In the prediabetes and type 2 diabetes study, safety was assessed by following parameters related to haematology, kidney and liver function, and lipid levels [3]. In the sarcoidosis study, safety was monitored alongside symptoms of small fibre neuropathy [2]. The diabetic macular oedema trial was open-label and interventional, with BCVA as the primary outcome [1]. No safety results are reported in the evidence block for any study.

ARA-290 and dosing regimens in registered trials

The evidence block describes two dosing regimens: 4 mg subcutaneously daily for 12 weeks in diabetic macular oedema [1], and daily subcutaneous injection for 28 days in sarcoidosis small fibre neuropathy [2]. The prediabetes and type 2 diabetes study does not specify a dose in the excerpt [3], nor does the cognitive study in healthy volunteers, which used a single dose [4]. These regimens are study-specific and are not recommendations for any use outside a clinical trial setting.

ARA-290 and study populations: a comparison

The table below compares the registered studies by population, intervention and primary or stated objective, as described in the evidence block.

ARA-290 and evidence gaps: animal and in vitro data

The evidence block does not contain any animal-only or in vitro studies of ARA-290. All primary references are registered clinical trials in human populations [1][2][3][4]. The review [5] is a narrative summary and does not provide primary data for ARA-290. Researchers seeking preclinical mechanistic data should consult the primary literature directly; no such data are reported here.

If you are reading this for personal health reasons

This material is sold for laboratory research only. We do not provide dosing or medical guidance. Anyone considering a compound for themselves should speak to a licensed clinician.

Sources

• [1] The Use of ARA290 for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Oedema — ClinicalTrials.gov
• [2] Study of Efficacy of ARA 290 on Corneal Nerve Fiber Density and Neuropathic Symptoms of Subjects With Sarcoidosis — ClinicalTrials.gov
• [3] ARA290 in T2D (Effects of ARA 290, an Erythropoietin Analogue) in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes) — ClinicalTrials.gov
• [4] Cognitive and Neural Effects of ARA290 — ClinicalTrials.gov
• [5] Peptides in Regenerative Medicine: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Applications in Tissue Repair and Chronic Pain Management. — europe_pmc