HEALING & IMMUNE RESEARCH

ARA-290

Studied for calming nerve inflammation and supporting the regrowth of damaged small nerve fibers.

ARA-290 (cibinetide) is studied as a tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling peptide. Rather than acting as a conventional painkiller, the research literature describes it reducing the inflammation associated with small-fiber neuropathy—damage to the fine nerve endings that carry pain and temperature—and supporting regrowth of those fibers. It has one of the more developed clinical evidence bases among investigational peptides, with completed Phase 2 trials, and remains investigational and not FDA-approved.

Innate Repair ReceptorSmall-Fiber NeuropathyAnti-InflammatoryNerve Regeneration

Why BLP features ARA-290

Included because early human studies show consistent signals in small-fiber neuropathy across both patient-reported symptoms and objective structural measures of nerve fibers, despite the evidence still being at the Phase 2 stage. It represents our commitment to specialized, evidence-informed compounds beyond mainstream trends.

Mechanism

Erythropoietin, the hormone that drives red-blood-cell production, also has a separate tissue-protective effect. ARA-290 was designed to trigger only that protective pathway—the innate repair receptor—without raising red-blood-cell production.

Activating that receptor is described as calming inflammation, quieting activated immune cells in nerve tissue, and supporting repair and regrowth of small nerve fibers.

Some research also reports it acting on TRPV1, a sensor on small nerve fibers, which is associated with reduced sensitivity to touch and pressure in preclinical models.

WHAT THE RESEARCH MEASURED

Research findings

Findings describe study outcomes, not expected personal results.

Human research findings

A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in sarcoidosis patients with small-fiber neuropathy reported improved neuropathy screening scores over four weeks.
A Phase 2b multicenter trial reported a significant increase in corneal nerve fiber area versus placebo—an objective, structural measure of nerve regrowth.
A trial in patients with type 2 diabetes reported improvements in neuropathic symptom scores alongside changes in HbA1c and lipid markers.
Across studies the safety profile was generally favorable with no significant safety signals identified at the doses studied.

Mechanistic & supporting research

Animal models of diabetic neuropathy and nerve-crush injury reported neuroprotective effects and reversal of neuropathic pain behavior.
Effects were attributed to reduced inflammation and stimulation of nerve fiber regrowth rather than direct analgesia.
Preclinical work reported long-term pain relief coupled with suppression of the spinal microglial inflammatory response.

Regulatory status

ARA-290 (cibinetide) is investigational and not approved for any therapeutic indication. In the United States it has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis, and it has completed Phase 2 clinical development. Sold and offered strictly for laboratory and research use.

Related research

KPV BPC-157/TB-500 Thymosin Alpha-1 Evidence Framework Research Library