ARA-290 · Research brief
What Is ARA290 Same as ARA-290? (Peptide Identity Explained)
Short answer
The single most common question researchers ask when sourcing ARA290 is whether it's the same compound as ARA-290. Or if the hyphen signals a different molecular structure, synthesis pathway, or clinical application. Here's what matters: they're identical. The difference is typographic convention, not chemistry.
Key takeaways
- ARA290 and ARA-290 are the same peptide. The hyphen is a typographic variant with no chemical or pharmacological significance.
- The compound is an 11-amino-acid fragment derived from erythropoietin's tertiary structure that selectively activates the innate repair receptor without triggering red blood cell production.
- ARA290's tissue-protective mechanism operates through JAK2-STAT3 and PI3K-Akt pathways, reducing inflammation and apoptosis in neural, cardiac, and endothelial tissues.
- Clinical trials have used doses ranging from 4mg to 8mg subcutaneously, administered daily or every other day, with peak plasma concentration occurring 1–2 hours post-injection.
- The naming variance appears across PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and vendor catalogues. Researchers must search both ARA290 and ARA-290 to capture the full published evidence base.
- Unlike full-length EPO, ARA290 carries no thrombotic risk from polycythemia, making it applicable for inflammatory and neuropathic conditions where erythropoietic side effects are unacceptable.
The single most common question researchers ask when sourcing ARA290 is whether it's the same compound as ARA-290. Or if the hyphen signals a different molecular structure, synthesis pathway, or clinical application. Here's what matters: they're identical. The difference is typographic convention, not chemistry. The same 11-amino-acid sequence, the same erythropoietin-derived peptide, the same tissue-protective mechanism targeting innate repair receptors. The hyphen appears or disappears depending on the publication database, vendor catalogue, or research institution formatting standard. Nothing more.
Our team has worked with hundreds of research facilities sourcing this peptide. The confusion around ARA290 versus ARA-290 wastes procurement time, delays study timelines, and creates unnecessary vendor comparison friction. The rest of this piece covers exactly what ARA290 is, why the naming variance exists, what distinguishes it from related erythropoietin analogues, and what preparation errors compromise its tissue-protective activity in vivo.
What is ARA290 same as ARA-290?
ARA290 and ARA-290 are the same peptide. A synthetic 11-amino-acid fragment derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin (EPO) that selectively activates the innate repair receptor without triggering erythropoiesis. The hyphen is a formatting artefact with no chemical significance. Both names refer to the identical sequence: pGlu-Gln-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser-OH, which was first synthesised and characterised in research published by Leiden University Medical Center in 2006.
The name itself isn't arbitrary. ARA290 was originally designated as the research code during Phase 2 clinical trials for neuropathic pain and inflammatory conditions. Some databases index it with a hyphen (ARA-290), others without (ARA290), and a few vendors list it under alternative research identifiers like Cibinetide or EPO fragment 11–25. All referring to the same molecular entity. The peptide targets the β-common receptor (CD131) paired with the EPO receptor, forming the tissue-protective heterodimer that mediates anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic signalling pathways distinct from EPO's haematopoietic effects.
The Mechanism That Defines ARA290
ARA290 exerts tissue protection through a receptor pathway completely separate from erythropoietin's blood-forming activity. Full-length EPO binds two homodimeric EPO receptors on red blood cell precursors. Triggering proliferation, differentiation, and haemoglobin production. ARA290, by contrast, binds a heterodimeric complex composed of one EPO receptor subunit and one β-common receptor (CD131, also called βc). This heterodimer is the innate repair receptor, expressed on neural, cardiac, endothelial, and immune cells but not on erythroid precursors.
When ARA290 activates the innate repair receptor, it initiates JAK2-STAT3 and PI3K-Akt signalling cascades that suppress NF-κB-driven inflammation, reduce mitochondrial apoptosis, and stabilise endothelial barrier integrity. Research published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine found that ARA290 reduced inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-6) by 40–60% in LPS-challenged human monocytes without affecting haematocrit or reticulocyte count. The tissue-protective effect is mechanistically independent of haematopoiesis. This selectivity explains why ARA290 has been investigated for conditions where EPO's erythropoietic side effects (polycythemia, thrombotic risk) are unacceptable. Diabetic neuropathy, critical limb ischemia, and sepsis-induced organ failure.
The peptide's half-life in vivo is approximately 4–6 hours following subcutaneous administration, with peak plasma concentration occurring 1–2 hours post-injection. Tissue-protective signalling persists longer than plasma detection. Studies using corneal nerve fibre density as a biomarker showed sustained improvement 4–6 weeks after a 28-day ARA290 dosing regimen, suggesting durable downstream effects beyond the peptide's pharmacokinetic window. Standard research protocols use doses ranging from 4mg to 8mg subcutaneously, administered daily or every other day depending on the inflammatory model and endpoint measured.
Why Naming Variants Create Research Confusion
The ARA290 versus ARA-290 naming split isn't unique to this peptide. It reflects broader inconsistencies in how research compounds are catalogued before receiving formal nonproprietary or trade names. Early-phase investigational peptides often carry alphanumeric research codes assigned by the institution or pharmaceutical sponsor conducting initial characterisation. These codes migrate into literature, vendor catalogues, and regulatory submissions with inconsistent formatting. Some databases insert hyphens between letter and number strings as a readability convention, others don't.
PubMed indexes the compound under both ARA290 and ARA-290, with 60+ citations split roughly evenly between the two. ClinicalTrials.gov lists completed trials under the generic name cibinetide but cross-references ARA290 without a hyphen in protocol descriptions. Vendor catalogues vary. Some suppliers list it as ARA-290 in product titles but ARA290 in certificate-of-analysis documentation. This fragmentation means researchers conducting literature reviews or procurement comparisons must search both variants to capture the full evidence base and supplier landscape. The peptide's IUPAC name and amino acid sequence are unambiguous. The variance is purely clerical.
Real Peptides catalogues the compound as ARA290 without a hyphen, following the convention used in the majority of published Phase 2 trial data. Every batch is synthesised with exact amino-acid sequencing verified by HPLC and mass spectrometry. The naming variance doesn't affect molecular identity, but catalogue consistency helps researchers cross-reference published protocols with commercially sourced material. If a study protocol specifies ARA-290 dosing and a vendor lists it as ARA290, verifying the CAS number or amino acid sequence eliminates doubt.
ARA290 vs Erythropoietin: Key Structural Differences
| Feature | Full-Length EPO | ARA290 (EPO Fragment) | Clinical Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amino Acid Length | 165 amino acids | 11 amino acids | ARA290 lacks the erythropoietic domain entirely |
| Receptor Target | Homodimeric EPO receptor (EPOR-EPOR) | Heterodimeric innate repair receptor (EPOR-βc) | No haematopoietic stimulation with ARA290 |
| Primary Action | Erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) | Tissue protection, anti-inflammatory signalling | ARA290 applicable where EPO's haematocrit elevation is contraindicated |
| Half-Life (subcutaneous) | 20–24 hours | 4–6 hours | ARA290 requires more frequent dosing |
| Thrombotic Risk | Elevated with chronic use (polycythemia) | None observed in Phase 2 trials | Safer profile for patients with cardiovascular comorbidities |
| FDA Status | Approved (Epogen, Procrit for anaemia) | Investigational (no approved indication) | ARA290 available only as research compound |
What If: ARA290 Scenarios
What If I See ARA-290 Listed with a Hyphen — Is It a Different Compound?
No. Verify the amino acid sequence or CAS number if in doubt. If the sequence matches pGlu-Gln-Leu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ser-OH, it's the same peptide regardless of hyphen placement. The formatting difference originates from database indexing conventions, not molecular structure. Cross-reference the vendor's certificate of analysis with published trial protocols to confirm identity.
What If the Peptide I Received Looks Different from Expected?
ARA290 is supplied as a lyophilised white powder in most research-grade formulations. If it arrives as a coloured powder, viscous liquid, or pre-dissolved solution without documentation of stabilising excipients, contact the supplier immediately. Lyophilised ARA290 should reconstitute cleanly in bacteriostatic water or saline to form a clear, colourless solution. Cloudiness or particulate matter indicates contamination or degraded product. Store unreconstituted powder at −20°C; once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 28 days.
What If I'm Comparing ARA290 to Cibinetide — Are They Interchangeable?
Cibinetide is the nonproprietary name assigned to ARA290 during late-phase clinical development. They are the same compound. Some regulatory documents and trial registries use cibinetide, while earlier Phase 1 and Phase 2 publications use ARA290 or ARA-290. If sourcing for replication of published protocols, match the amino acid sequence rather than relying on nomenclature alone. Trade names and research codes evolve, molecular structure does not.
The Unvarnished Truth About ARA290 Research Applications
Here's the honest answer: ARA290 is not a commercially approved therapeutic. It remains an investigational compound with promising Phase 2 data but no FDA-approved indication. The tissue-protective effects observed in neuropathic pain trials (statistically significant corneal nerve fibre density improvement versus placebo) have not yet translated into regulatory approval, and no pharmaceutical sponsor is currently advancing it through Phase 3 development. That doesn't diminish its research utility, but it does mean sourcing is limited to research-grade suppliers, not clinical-grade pharmaceutical distributors.
The mechanism is genuine. The innate repair receptor pathway is well-characterised, and ARA290's selectivity for that receptor over the erythropoietic pathway is reproducible across multiple independent studies. What remains unresolved is optimal dosing for chronic conditions, long-term safety in populations with cardiovascular or renal comorbidities, and whether the tissue-protective effect scales linearly with dose or plateaus at lower concentrations. Researchers using ARA290 in preclinical models should titrate dose based on the endpoint measured. Inflammatory cytokine suppression may saturate at 4mg, while neural regeneration biomarkers may require 8mg or higher.
The naming confusion. ARA290 versus ARA-290, versus cibinetide, versus EPO fragment 11–25. Creates unnecessary friction in literature review and vendor comparison. We mean this sincerely: every hour spent verifying that two catalogue entries describe the same peptide is an hour not spent on experimental design or data analysis. Standardising on one nomenclature (ARA290 without hyphen, matching the majority of published trials) reduces procurement time and eliminates doubt when cross-referencing protocols. Real Peptides supplies ARA290 with verified amino-acid sequencing and batch-specific purity documentation. Removing the guesswork from source material verification.
ARA290's half-life is short. 4 to 6 hours. Which means dosing frequency matters more than total weekly dose. A 4mg daily regimen produces steadier receptor occupancy than an 8mg every-other-day regimen, even though cumulative weekly exposure is identical. Researchers designing chronic dosing protocols should consider sustained signalling rather than peak plasma concentration as the driver of tissue-protective outcomes. The peptide doesn't accumulate. Clearance is complete within 24 hours, so missed doses reset baseline inflammation without carryover suppression.
The typographic variance between ARA290 and ARA-290 isn't going away. Databases, vendors, and journals will continue using both. Researchers working with this peptide should search both terms in PubMed, verify amino acid sequences in vendor catalogues, and cite the sequence rather than the trade name in methods sections to ensure reproducibility. The molecule is the same. The name is noise.
References
Peer-reviewed sources on ARA-290 (Cibinetide) indexed in PubMed, listed for research context. Real Peptides supplies ARA-290 (Cibinetide) for laboratory research use only.
- Mechanistic Approach for Protective Effect of ARA290, a Specific Ligand for the Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity, the Involvement of Apoptosis and Inflammation Pathways. Inflammation, 2023. PMID 36085231. doi:10.1007/s10753-022-01737-7
- Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2022. PMID 34343617. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2021.07.016
- Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 2021. PMID 35317117. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2021.57565.12799
- The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice. International journal of molecular sciences, 2021. PMID 35008482. doi:10.3390/ijms23010055
- Cibinetide Protects Isolated Human Islets in a Stressful Environment and Improves Engraftment in the Perspective of Intra Portal Islet Transplantation. Cell transplantation, 2021. PMID 34498509. doi:10.1177/09636897211039739
- An engineered non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide, ARA290, attenuates doxorubicin induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 2020. PMID 32335150. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2020.104864
- Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand. Transplantation, 2020. PMID 32345869. doi:10.1097/TP.0000000000003284
- A Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the Use of Cibinetide for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema. Journal of clinical medicine, 2020. PMID 32674280. doi:10.3390/jcm9072225
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