Does ARA-290 (cibinetide) help with diabetic neuropathy and metabolic control?

What the studies show

A 28-day trial in type 2 diabetes with neuropathy reported improved HbA1c and neuropathic symptoms; small, short, not replicated.

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.

1. 1
   Brines M, Dunne AN, van Velzen M, et al. ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes.Mol Med, 2015Small 28-day phase 2.

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

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
• DHealing, recovery, inflammation (grey-market uses)None
• CAdverse effectsadversePhase 2 trials

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 →