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Immune Preliminary evidence

ARA-290

ARA-290 (Cibinetide)

Also known as: Cibinetide, pHBSP, Helix B surface peptide

Written and reviewed by the Peptide.it editorial team Last reviewed June 2026 · Every claim is tier-rated and sourced

In plain language

ARA-290, also called cibinetide, is a small peptide derived from erythropoietin (EPO) but designed not to raise red blood cells. It has been studied mainly for nerve-related pain and inflammation, including in sarcoidosis-related small-fiber neuropathy. Evidence is early and the peptide is not approved.

What it is explored for

ARA-290 is a clever reimagining of erythropoietin, keeping the tissue-protective side while leaving red-blood-cell effects behind. Early human trials make it genuinely interesting for nerve-related pain and inflammation, and it has generally been well tolerated in those studies.

  • Nerve comfort and neuropathic pain interest
  • Healthy nerve fiber support
  • Calming inflammation
  • Tissue protection and repair
  • Immune and inflammatory balance
  • Recovery in small-fiber neuropathy research

These are areas of active interest and reported use, not proven outcomes. This peptide carries a preliminary evidence rating, see the evidence summary below for how strong the science actually is.

How it works

ARA-290 targets the innate repair receptor, a complex thought to mediate the tissue-protective effects of EPO without stimulating red-blood-cell production.

  • Innate repair receptor signaling. Activates the EPO/CD131 innate repair receptor to promote anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective effects in preclinical models.
  • No erythropoietic effect. Engineered to avoid the EPO receptor pathway that raises red blood cells, reducing that class of EPO risk.
  • Neuro-inflammatory modulation. Studied for reducing neuropathic pain and improving small-fiber measures in early human work on sarcoidosis.

Human data come from small early-phase trials. Larger confirmatory trials are limited, so effects are not firmly established.

Evidence summary

ARA-290 has progressed further than many research peptides, with small placebo-controlled trials in sarcoidosis-related neuropathic pain showing some symptom improvement. However, sample sizes are small and the peptide is not approved, so the evidence remains preliminary.

Reported safety & side effects

In early trials ARA-290 was generally reported as well-tolerated, partly because it avoids the red-blood-cell effects of EPO. Long-term safety and broader use remain unestablished.

Reported in early trialsGenerally well-tolerated in small studies
Erythropoietic riskDesigned to avoid raising red blood cells
Long-term safetyNot established

Frequently asked

Is ARA-290 the same as EPO?

No. It is derived from a region of erythropoietin but engineered specifically to avoid stimulating red blood cell production while keeping tissue-protective signaling.

What has it been studied for?

Mainly neuropathic pain and small-fiber neuropathy, including in sarcoidosis, in small early-phase trials. It is not an approved treatment.