Research Evidence Anecdotal Efficacy Side Effects Price Dosing & Protocol Regulatory Safety Notes

ARA-290

ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from EPO helix B, explored for anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and tissue-repair effects; the community runs it mostly for neuropathic pain relief, where reports are roughly split, with a smaller group using it for tissue repair. Community doses span 580 mcg to 5 mg, most commonly around 4 mg daily, while clinician protocols land at 2 mg. The honest caveat: the off-label evidence base is thinner than the discourse suggests, with most exploratory indications lacking posted results and no FDA-approved use.

Data last updated August 3, 2026

Research Evidence

Evidence shape

ARA-290 possesses moderate clinical evidence, primarily centered on exploratory human treatment studies. While seven published studies exist, the research remains thin, with only four registered trials and a total enrollment of 64 participants across six mapped indications. The quality of evidence is limited by a high withdrawal rate and a reliance on single-trial data, as only one blinded study has reported results. The current literature base is characterized by long-tail, preliminary investigations that have yet to scale beyond early-phase testing.

Depthhow much

4 registered trials

2 completed · 1 with posted results · combined n=64

Breadthhow many areas

6 indications mapped

4 thin / exploratory · 1 animal-only · 4 single-trial long-tail

Qualityhow rigorous

Highest tier: Phase 2

1 blinded with results · 2 distinct sponsors · 25% withdrawal rate · AE table from NCT02039687 · 1 linked publication on registered trials

Breadth and depth22 rows captured

Human

direct clinical signal

11

Animal

translational support

8

In vitro

mechanistic support

3

HighMediumLow

Source data

Every row behind the score.

22 total

RCTNCT01933529Phase 2 · 2013 · n=24 · Claes-Göran Östenson

Diabetes Type 2

tested oral glucose tolerance

result In progress (unknown)

RCTNCT02039687Phase 2 · 2014 · n=64 · Araim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Neuropathy of Sarcoidosis

tested Change in Corneal Nerve Fiber Area

result +106 µm^2 (Change in Corneal Nerve Fiber Area)

RCTNCT02070783Phase 1 · 2012 · n=36 · Leiden University Medical Center

Depression

tested performance on information processing test battery, particularly emotion recognition

result Completed; results not posted

RCTPMID 23168581n=22

Treatment studies

tested SFNSL score, BPI pain intensity, SF-36, depressive symptoms (IDS), fatigue (FAS)

result SFNSL Δ -11.5±3.04 (ARA 290) vs Δ -2.9±3.34 (placebo), p<0.05; SF-36 pain Δ -23.4±5.5, physical functioning Δ -14.6±3.9 significant; BPI+FAS improved equally in both groups; no IDS change.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

RCTPMID 24136731

Treatment studies

tested neuropathic symptoms (patient-reported), corneal nerve fiber density, cutaneous temperature sensitivity, 6-minute walk test

result 28d daily SC ARA 290 significantly improved neuropathic symptoms, increased corneal small nerve fiber density, improved temperature sensitivity and 6-min walk distance vs placebo.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

RCTPMID 25387363

Treatment studies

tested HbA1c, lipid profiles, PainDetect score, corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD)

result ARA 290 improved HbA1c and lipid profiles over 56d; PainDetect scores improved significantly; subjects with low CNFD showed significant increase vs no change in placebo.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

RCTPMID 28475703n=64

Treatment studies

tested Corneal nerve fiber area (CNFA), GAP-43+ intraepidermal fibers, pain severity, 6-minute walk test

result 4 mg/day: placebo-corrected CNFA +697 μm² (P=0.012); GAP-43+ fibers increased (P=0.035); CNFA correlated with 6MWT (ρ=0.645, P=0.009); pain improved across all groups.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

OpenNCT06626971Phase 2 · 2016 · n=9 · Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Diabetic Macular Oedema

tested Primary Outcome - Best corrected distance visual acuity.

result Terminated before completion

Terminated: Expiry of study drug - no replacement available.

StudPMID 24555851

Treatment studies

tested neuropathic pain scores, corneal nerve fiber density, sensory pain thresholds, quality of life, physical functioning

result Two Phase II trials: ARA 290 significantly reduced neuropathic pain scores, increased corneal nerve fibers, improved sensory pain thresholds, QoL, and physical functioning in sarcoidosis patients.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

StudPMID 29549285

Treatment studies

tested utility of corneal nerve fiber (CNF) size (width, area) vs standard CCM variables (density, branch density, length) for diagnosing SFN and quantifying therapeutic response to cibinetide

result CNF area, density, branch density and length show comparable discriminatory power for diagnosing neuropathy; CNF area is a useful variable for quantifying change in CNF morphology following cibinetide (nerve repair).

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

OpenPMID 32674280n=9

Treatment studies

tested BCVA, CRT, central retinal sensitivity, tear production, NEI VFQ-25, adverse events, anti-cibinetide antibodies

result No mean improvement in BCVA (-2.9), CRT (+10 µm), retinal sensitivity (-0.53 dB), or tear production; NEI VFQ-25 improved (+2.7). Some participants improved in CRT, tear production, HbA1c, albuminuria.

Published human study (PubMed / Europe PMC), extracted from its abstract — not a CT.gov-registered trial.

AnimalPMID 23936499