Neurologic research

ARA-290
research guide

ARA-290, also studied under the name cibinetide, is a non-hematopoietic engineered peptide derived from erythropoietin, designed to activate the innate repair receptor without stimulating red blood cell production. It has been evaluated in multiple small human clinical trials, including sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy, type 2 diabetes neuropathic symptoms, and a Phase 2 trial for diabetic macular edema, alongside supporting animal mechanistic studies.

Human studiesEditorial review: September 13, 2026

Evidence depends on population and formulation. Literature summary, not clinical peer review.

Looking for the product? Reign listings and business disclosure ↓

Jorge Abreu is not a doctor. This is an educational research summary, not a prescription or a personal dosing plan. Study results do not establish that a supplier product is safe or effective for people. Consult a licensed clinician about medical decisions.

01 · Start with identity

What is ARA-290?

ARA-290/cibinetide is an investigational peptide studied in registered clinical trials; it has not been confirmed in the sources reviewed as an FDA approved drug for any indication. It is engineered to be distinct from erythropoietin itself, avoiding erythropoietin's blood-forming effects, according to the trial literature.

Also searched as: Cibinetide

02 · Read the evidence

What the studies reported

01

Sarcoidosis small fiber neuropathy trial

A clinical study reported that cibinetide improved symptoms and increased corneal nerve fiber density in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss who had a below-normal baseline corneal nerve fiber density, compared with no change in the placebo group [2].

02

Type 2 diabetes phase 2 trial

In a phase 2 study, subjects with type 2 diabetes self-administered ARA-290 (4 mg) or placebo subcutaneously daily for 28 days; the ARA-290 group showed improved hemoglobin A1c and lipid profiles over the 56-day observation period and significant improvement in neuropathic symptoms on the PainDetect questionnaire, with no safety issues identified [3].

03

Diabetic macular edema phase 2 trial

In a phase 2 trial, nine patients with diabetic macular edema self-administered cibinetide 4 mg/day subcutaneously for 12 weeks; the primary visual and retinal thickness outcomes did not improve, but NEI VFQ-25 quality-of-life scores improved and some participants showed gains in retinal thickness, tear production, diabetic control and albuminuria, with no serious adverse events [1].

04

Mechanistic protection in cell and animal models

Laboratory studies report that ARA-290 reduced cisplatin-induced DNA damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in kidney cell lines [4], and that it inhibited macrophage cytokine secretion and significantly improved blood glucose control after pancreatic islet transplantation in a mouse model [5].

03 · Numbers in context

What does dosing evidence actually support?

In the cited phase 2 trials, adult patients with type 2 diabetes and neuropathy and patients with diabetic macular edema self-administered cibinetide 4 mg subcutaneously once daily, for 28 days and 12 weeks respectively, under clinical trial supervision with safety monitoring. These are specific supervised trial doses tied to those study populations, reported here as historical study facts only, not a general recommendation or protocol for other use.

A study dose is not a personal dose. Population, route, formulation and supervision are part of the result. Online community schedules are not treated here as established clinical protocols.

04 · Safety and limits

What not to overlook

  • Clinical trial dosing applied to specific diagnosed patient populations under medical supervision, not general or self-directed use
  • The diabetic macular edema trial (9 patients) did not meet its primary visual outcome, showing benefit only on secondary quality-of-life and exploratory measures
  • Trials identified in this research were small, phase 2 or early-phase studies; larger confirmatory trials were not identified
  • Supplier research-chemical product has not been shown to be equivalent to the investigational drug used in cited trials

05 · Product distinctions

Names are not interchangeable

Reign Peptide lists ARA-290 as a lyophilized powder labeled Cibinetide (10mg/vial, greater than or equal to 99% purity by third-party HPLC per the listing), described by the supplier as for in-vitro research use only. This differs from the investigational drug formulation administered under clinical trial protocols in the studies cited above.

06 · Handling and storage

Follow validated product instructions

A single water volume, refrigerator temperature or expiry window cannot be assumed for every compound and formulation. Use the exact manufacturer documentation and a validated laboratory procedure. If stability, solvent compatibility or microbiological quality is not documented, those properties remain unverified.

Refrigeration, clear appearance and bacteriostatic water do not make an unverified research product suitable for injection. This guide does not provide a mixing or administration procedure.

The existing concentration calculator checks arithmetic only. It cannot choose a safe dose or establish compatibility, sterility or shelf life.

Reign Peptide · Business disclosure

Research product listings

Jorge Abreu is involved in Reign Peptide. Links to Reign are a business connection, not an independent endorsement. Reign lists these products for laboratory research, not human consumption.

Use the listing to check the labeled identity, amount and available batch documentation. A purity result alone does not verify sterility, clinical suitability or equivalence to a medicine used in a trial.

Names and sizes are product labels, not dosing recommendations. Confirm current details with the seller.

Supplies and accessories

Compare the actual specifications

Jorge's supply directory includes syringes, alcohol pads, storage cases, travel refrigeration and electrolytes, with separate links for the two travel refrigeration options. Accessory availability is not a recommendation to administer a research compound.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Amazon affiliate link

Alcohol pads

MED PRIDE, 70% isopropyl, 200 count per listing. An alcohol pad does not establish sterility of a research product.

View on Amazon ↗

Amazon affiliate link

Peptide fridge case

Listing: 63 slots for 3mL bottles, bag only. An organizer is not active refrigeration or a validated storage system.

View on Amazon ↗

Amazon affiliate link

Peptide travel case

Medineed travel case with temperature display and two ice packs per listing. Check dimensions and transport requirements.

View on Amazon ↗

See all supplies and accessories →

Questions still worth asking

What remains unresolved?

  • Would larger, longer randomized trials confirm the neuropathic symptom benefits seen in the small studies reviewed?
  • What is the long-term safety profile of cibinetide with repeated dosing beyond the trial durations reviewed?

Check the source

References and evidence scope

  1. Human trial · 2020A Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the Use of Cibinetide for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema ↗
  2. Human trial · 2013ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density ↗
  3. Human trial · 2015ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes ↗
  4. Cell study · 2023Mechanistic Approach for Protective Effect of ARA290, a Specific Ligand for the Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity, the Involvement of Apoptosis and Inflammation Pathways ↗
  5. Animal study · 2016A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets ↗

These are the sources reviewed for this page, not an exhaustive systematic review. Related compound research is identified as such. Product links are not scientific references.

Keep reading

Related research