Peptide • Pain & migraine

ARA-290

Also called Cibinetide; pHBSP

What it is, the potential benefits being studied, and what the evidence supports right now.

Promising human researchResearch-stage compoundChecked 2026-08-21

01 • Start here

Potential benefits being studied.

Small-fiber neuropathy, neuropathic pain, and tissue-protection questions in narrow disease populations.

  • Brain & cognition
  • Skin & hair
  • Pain research

02 • Why it stands out

The simple explanation.

ARA-290, also called cibinetide, is designed to activate tissue-protective pathways without stimulating red-blood-cell production.

03 • Research highlight

Why researchers are interested.

Early work in people makes it especially interesting for nerve pain and tissue repair.

Evidence detailsStudy limits, status, and safety context

Study summary: A randomized phase 2b trial in 64 people with sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber loss found changes in corneal and skin nerve-fiber measures at one studied dose. Earlier human work also examined sarcoidosis and painful diabetic neuropathy.

What to keep in mind: These condition-specific trials do not establish cognition, general recovery, longevity, or broad pain benefits, and cibinetide remains investigational.

Potential benefits describe research questions, not a promise that a product will produce the same result in a person.