What the studies show
Well tolerated in the short trials, with no effect on haemoglobin — the point of the design. No long-term data.
A few small or poorly-controlled human studies. Enough to be interesting; not enough to count on. Most of what gets called “clinically proven” online lives here.
- 1Culver DA, Dahan A, Bajorunas D, et al. Cibinetide improves corneal nerve fiber abundance in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and neuropathic pain.Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2017Phase 2b; 64 patients; 28 days.
In context
ARA-290 is a short peptide copied from a surface of the erythropoietin molecule that signals tissue protection but not red-cell production. Its developer has run small randomised trials in small-fibre neuropathy, mostly in sarcoidosis: in a 64-person, 28-day phase 2, the 4 mg dose measurably increased nerve fibres in the cornea and skin, while pain improved on placebo as much as on drug. No phase 3 has been completed and it is not approved anywhere. The grey market sells it for pain, healing and inflammation on the strength of that early signal.
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is not approved; investigational. Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.
Questions
Is ARA-290 (cibinetide) proven to cause adverse effects?
What studies are behind the grade?
Is ARA-290 (cibinetide) approved for this?
Other outcomes for ARA-290 (cibinetide)
- CNerve fibre regeneration (sarcoidosis small-fibre neuropathy)1 phase 2b RCT (n=64, 28 days)
- CNeuropathic painSame trial + earlier phase 2
- CDiabetic neuropathy and metabolic control1 small phase 2
- DHealing, recovery, inflammation (grey-market uses)None
Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 10 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →