What is ARA-290?
ARA-290 is a synthetic linear peptide of 11 amino acids (pGlu-Glu-Gln-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser) whose sequence is derived from the helix B surface of erythropoietin (EPO). Its international non-proprietary name is cibinetide. The peptide was designed to retain the tissue-protective signalling of EPO while lacking its erythropoietic (red blood cell) activity.
ARA-290 is a selective agonist of the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromer of the erythropoietin receptor and the beta-common receptor (CD131) that is expressed in stressed or injured tissue rather than in bone marrow. This selectivity is what separates it from full-length EPO in research models and is the reason the peptide is categorised under repair and recovery research.
GenoPept supplies ARA-290 as a lyophilised powder in a 10mg vial for in-vitro laboratory research in the UK, with a batch Certificate of Analysis for every lot.
ARA-290 research applications
ARA-290 is unusual among research peptides in having published clinical-stage literature as well as extensive preclinical data. The main areas of investigation are summarised below; the compound is not an approved medicine and is supplied only for laboratory study.
Small-fibre neuropathy models
ARA-290 has been investigated in rodent models of painful neuropathy and in published clinical studies of small-fibre neuropathy associated with sarcoidosis and type 2 diabetes, with end points including corneal nerve fibre density and neuropathic symptom scores.
Inflammation and immune signalling
Cell and animal studies examine the peptide for reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and for shifting macrophage phenotype, which is attributed to innate repair receptor engagement.
Ischaemia and tissue-protection models
Preclinical work has examined ARA-290 in cardiac, renal and peripheral nerve injury models, looking at cell survival and functional recovery after ischaemia-reperfusion.
Metabolic research
Published work in diabetic animal models and early clinical studies has explored effects on glycaemic markers and beta-cell related end points, which are still being characterised.
Erythropoietin receptor pharmacology
Because it engages the IRR but not the homodimeric EPO receptor, ARA-290 is a useful tool compound for separating tissue-protective from haematopoietic EPO signalling in receptor studies.
Mechanism of action (preclinical)
ARA-290 binds the innate repair receptor, a heterocomplex of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor (CD131). This receptor is expressed at low levels in healthy tissue and is up-regulated by hypoxia, inflammation and injury, so the peptide acts preferentially at sites of tissue stress. Unlike EPO, it does not activate the homodimeric EPO receptor that drives red blood cell production.
Downstream, IRR activation in preclinical models has been linked to anti-apoptotic signalling through JAK2 and Akt, reduced NF-κB-dependent cytokine transcription and promotion of a reparative macrophage phenotype. The peptide has a short plasma half-life, and its effects in models are attributed to receptor activation rather than sustained exposure. These findings are described for research context only.
ARA-290 product specifications
The values below are drawn from public chemical databases and are confirmed for each batch by LC-MS identity testing.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compound | ARA-290 (cibinetide), synthetic 11-amino-acid EPO helix B surface peptide |
| Also known as | Cibinetide, ARA 290, Helix B surface peptide (HBSP), pHBSP, pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide |
| Sequence / class | 11-amino-acid synthetic peptide (pGlu-Glu-Gln-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser), derived from erythropoietin helix B |
| CAS number | 1208243-50-8 |
| Molecular formula | C51H84N16O21 |
| Molecular weight | 1257.3 g/mol |
| Form | Lyophilised powder, sealed sterile glass vial, black cap, lot and expiry on label |
| Available sizes | 10mg |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC) |
| Verification | Batch HPLC purity and LC-MS identity by independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory; batch COA |
| Storage (unopened) | –20 °C long term; 2–8 °C short term; protect from light |
| Intended use | In-vitro laboratory research only; not for human or veterinary use |
Available sizes
ARA-290 is currently supplied in one vial size:
- 10mg vial – sufficient for cell-culture and small animal pilot studies
Bulk boxes of 10 vials save 20–50% against single-vial pricing; see the bulk and wholesale page for details. Orders of £200 or more qualify for free tracked UK delivery.
Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)
Unopened vials should be stored at –20 °C for long-term storage, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, always protected from light. Keep vials sealed until the day they are needed.
To reconstitute, allow the vial to reach room temperature, then add bacteriostatic water or another sterile diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Swirl gently until the powder dissolves; never shake, because shear can damage peptide chains. A 10mg ARA-290 vial reconstituted with 2 ml of diluent gives a 5 mg/ml stock; dilute further to the working concentration your assay requires.
Once in solution, keep the vial at 2–8 °C and use it within the period stated in your laboratory protocol. See our guides on how to reconstitute research peptides and how to store research peptides.
Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis
Every batch supplied by GenoPept is tested by Puralytix, an independent ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, using HPLC to confirm purity of at least 99% and LC-MS to confirm identity against the expected molecular mass. The results are issued as a batch Certificate of Analysis (COA).
Use the “View Certificate of Analysis” button on this page to open the COA for the current batch, or browse the complete library at genopept.co.uk/coa-certificates. Our guide on what a Certificate of Analysis shows explains how to read the chromatogram and mass spectrum. Vials carry lot number and expiry so results trace to the exact material supplied.
Related research compounds
- BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound) – a repair peptide studied through growth-factor and nitric oxide pathways rather than the EPO receptor family.
- Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) – an immune-modulating peptide for comparative inflammation and immunology work.
- SS-31 (Elamipretide) – a mitochondria-targeted peptide also studied in ischaemia-reperfusion models.
- LL-37 Antimicrobial Peptide – a cathelicidin studied in innate immunity and wound models.
ARA-290 frequently asked questions
What is ARA-290 used for in research?
ARA-290 is used in preclinical and clinical-stage research on the innate repair receptor, most often in models of small-fibre neuropathy, inflammation, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and diabetic complications. It is also a tool compound for separating tissue-protective erythropoietin signalling from red blood cell production. GenoPept supplies ARA-290 solely for in-vitro laboratory research, and it is not an approved medicine.
How is ARA-290 supplied and what purity is it?
GenoPept supplies ARA-290 as lyophilised powder in a sealed, sterile glass vial with a black cap containing 10mg of peptide. Every batch is tested by an independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory by HPLC for purity of at least 99% and by LC-MS for identity against the expected mass of 1257.3 g/mol. The batch Certificate of Analysis can be opened from the button on this page.
How should ARA-290 be stored?
Store unopened ARA-290 vials at –20 °C for long-term storage or at 2–8 °C for short-term use, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water the solution should be kept at 2–8 °C and used within the period stated in your laboratory protocol. The peptide is reported to have a short half-life in biological fluids, so prepare working dilutions fresh where possible.
Is ARA-290 for human use?
No. ARA-290 from GenoPept is for in-vitro laboratory research only. Although cibinetide has been studied in clinical trials, it is not an approved medicine, is not for human or veterinary use, and is not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. We do not provide dosing or administration guidance, and purchasers must confirm the peptide is being bought for legitimate research.
How does ARA-290 differ from erythropoietin?
Erythropoietin is a 165-amino-acid glycoprotein hormone that binds the homodimeric EPO receptor on bone marrow progenitors and stimulates red blood cell production. ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid fragment of EPO’s helix B surface that binds only the innate repair receptor (EPO receptor plus CD131), so in research models it retains tissue-protective signalling without the haematopoietic effect. This selectivity is the main reason it is studied.
Research use only. This product is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research in the UK. It is not for human or veterinary use, is not a medicine, and is not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Nothing on this page is medical advice. See our research use only policy and UK legal guide.
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