ARA-290 Tracker App
Log 4 mg Daily Doses, Monitor Pain Scores, and Track Neuropathy Symptom Response
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B surface region of erythropoietin — the part of EPO responsible for tissue protection rather than red blood cell production. It is a selective agonist of the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heterodimer expressed in damaged tissue that drives neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and metabolic repair without the erythropoietic risks of full EPO. Phase 2 data in sarcoidosis showed significant improvement in small fibre neuropathy and neuropathic pain. Shotlee tracks your 4 mg daily protocol, VAS pain scores, nerve function tests, and sleep quality.
What Is ARA-290 (Cibinetide)?
ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid cyclic peptide derived from the helix B surface of erythropoietin (EPO). Standard EPO activates both homodimeric EPO receptors (driving red blood cell production) and heterodimeric innate repair receptors (IRR; driving tissue protection). ARA-290 was engineered to selectively activate only the IRR — achieving EPO's neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory tissue effects without stimulating erythropoiesis or carrying EPO's cardiovascular risk profile.
The IRR is expressed in neurons, immune cells, and metabolic tissue under conditions of stress or damage. ARA-290 activation of the IRR promotes neuronal survival, suppresses inflammatory cytokine production in damaged tissue, and has demonstrated insulin-sensitising effects in preclinical metabolic models. Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy — a condition with very limited treatment options — showed significant reductions in neuropathic pain (VAS) and corneal nerve fibre density improvement over 28 days of 4 mg daily subcutaneous dosing.
Clinical Trial Protocol
Dose and duration used in the Phase 2 sarcoidosis/small fibre neuropathy trials. Administered subcutaneously in the abdomen or thigh. Some research protocols extend beyond 28 days based on individual response.
Mechanism of Action
Phase 2 Trial Highlights
What to Track in Shotlee
Capture every ARA-290 protocol datapoint — pain scores, nerve function tests, sleep, energy, and injection logs.
ARA-290 / Cibinetide Development Timeline
ARA-290 for Small Fibre Neuropathy: What the Phase 2 Data Shows
Small fibre neuropathy (SFN) — a condition characterised by damage to unmyelinated C fibres and thinly myelinated Ad fibres — is notoriously difficult to treat. Standard analgesics provide limited relief; disease-modifying options are almost nonexistent. The ARA-290 Phase 2 data in sarcoidosis-associated SFN is significant because it showed both subjective pain reduction (VAS) and objective nerve regeneration (corneal confocal microscopy) in a 28-day trial.
If you are tracking ARA-290 for neuropathic pain, the most important metrics are daily VAS pain scores from day 1, symptom type and location, and any available nerve function testing. Shotlee lets you log all of these in one place, building the same kind of longitudinal record used in clinical trials.
Protocol FAQs
ARA-290 is studied for neuropathic pain (particularly small fibre neuropathy in sarcoidosis), diabetic neuropathy, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory effects, and insulin sensitisation. Phase 2 data showed significant VAS pain reduction and corneal nerve fibre improvement in sarcoidosis-SFN. It is not approved for human use.
Phase 2 trials used 4 mg subcutaneously once daily for 28 days. Some research protocols extend the duration beyond 28 days, but 4 mg/day is the established Phase 2 dose. Track every injection in Shotlee.
EPO activates both its own homodimeric receptor (stimulating red blood cell production) and the innate repair receptor (tissue protection). ARA-290 selectively activates only the innate repair receptor, providing EPO's neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory tissue effects without erythropoiesis or associated cardiovascular risks.
The most relevant outcomes are daily VAS pain scores, neuropathic symptom type and severity (burning, tingling, numbness), sleep quality, and any available nerve function testing (QST, nerve conduction, corneal confocal microscopy). Log all of these in Shotlee from day 1 of your protocol.
No. ARA-290 (cibinetide) is not approved by the FDA or EMA as of 2026. It has completed Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis-associated small fibre neuropathy with positive results, but no regulatory submission has been completed. It remains a research peptide.
Track Your ARA-290 Protocol in Shotlee
Log 4 mg daily doses, record VAS pain scores, track neuropathy symptoms, and document nerve function results — all free in Shotlee.