ARA-290 is a healing & recovery peptide. Typical research dosing is daily, and the body of supporting research is phase 2 clinical trials.
ARA-290 (also known as Cibinetide) is a cyclic peptide derived from the innate repair receptor-binding region of erythropoietin (EPO). It is designed to activate the tissue-protective receptor (innate repair receptor) without the erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) effects of full EPO, capturing EPO's protective benefits without the risk of blood thickening. Browse the full peptide library for related healing compounds.
ARA-290 was developed specifically for neuropathic pain and peripheral nerve repair. For general tissue healing, consider combining with BPC-157. Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with sarcoidosis-related neuropathy demonstrated significant reductions in neuropathic pain and improvements in nerve fiber density, meaning it actually regenerated damaged nerve fibers.
This makes ARA-290 unique. It is one of the only compounds with clinical evidence for actual peripheral nerve regeneration, not just pain management. It's used by users with diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, nerve injuries, and chronic neuropathic pain conditions.
Innate Repair Receptor Activation: ARA-290 binds to the tissue-protective (innate repair) receptor, which is separate from the EPO receptor responsible for red blood cell production. This activates repair and anti-inflammatory pathways in neurons and other tissues.
Neurotrophic Factor Upregulation: ARA-290 increases expression of BDNF, NGF, and other neurotrophic factors that support nerve survival and regeneration.
Anti-Apoptotic Signaling: ARA-290 activates JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathways, which protect neurons from programmed cell death.
ARA-290 (cibinetide) was developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals and is not registered with FDA Philippines. There is no licensed prescribing pathway here. The clinical evidence base (Brines and Cerami's sarcoidosis neuropathy trials, Heij and Niesters at Leiden) supports use for small fiber neuropathy and diabetic neuropathic pain, which is why it surfaces in BGC chronic-pain and diabetic-management circles even though it sits well outside the standard Manila neurology toolkit.
The Philippines has a real diabetic neuropathy burden: Department of Health diabetes prevalence sits around 6–7% nationally with significant under-diagnosis, and a meaningful subset of those patients carry small fiber neuropathy that gabapentin and pregabalin only partially manage. ARA-290 is not a substitute for endocrine care at Makati Med or St. Luke's BGC, but I've heard it discussed in BGC biohacker circles as an adjunct for people whose EMG/NCV studies came back normal but whose burning, tingling, and night pain are real.
The 4mg daily dose is large by peptide standards. Reconstitution math matters: a 4mg vial reconstituted in 1mL BAC water gives you 100 units on a U-100 syringe. Storage in Manila heat is critical: refrigerate at 2–8°C, never let it ride at room temperature, and discard at 14 days reconstituted. Skin and Cancer Foundation in Makati and BGC compounding pharmacies can supply the BAC water and the 31g insulin syringes; the peptide itself is research-import only.
Makati Medical Center · Makati
Neurology, EMG/NCV studies, diabetic foot clinic. No ARA-290 prescribing.
St. Luke's BGC · BGC
Neurology and pain medicine; runs small fiber assessment and skin biopsy for nerve fiber density.
The Medical City · Pasig
Neurology and endocrine; comprehensive diabetic neuropathy workup.
Mercury Drug · Nationwide
Does not stock ARA-290. Carries gabapentin and pregabalin (Rx).
Watsons · Nationwide
Does not stock ARA-290. Carries OTC topical capsaicin.
| Item | PHP | USD | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARA-290 4mg vial (research-grade) | ₱5,500–7,500 | $98–134 | International peptide suppliers, shipped to Manila |
| BAC water 30mL | ₱350–500 | $6–9 | Manila compounding pharmacies |
| Insulin syringes 31g (box of 100) | ₱650–900 | $12–16 | Mercury Drug, Watsons |
| EMG/NCV study (per limb) | ₱4,500–6,500 | $80–116 | Makati Med, St. Luke's BGC |
| HbA1c lab | ₱650–950 | $12–17 | Hi-Precision, Makati Med outpatient |
Customs & import reality
ARA-290 ships into Manila as research peptide under personal-import volumes. Single-vial parcels through Singapore or Hong Kong forwarders typically clear BOC without intervention. The 4mg dose burns through vials fast, so most users on a Brines-protocol-style 28-day course budget 1 vial per day with a small reserve. That's a real cold-chain logistics problem in Manila summer, not a regulatory one.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropathy Protocol | 4mg | Once daily SC | 4–8 weeks |
| Pain Management | 2–4mg | Once daily | Ongoing as needed |
Always start at the lowest effective dose and titrate up gradually.
Turning a dose in milligrams into units on a syringe is arithmetic, not judgement. The reconstitution calculator does it for any vial size, and the rest of the calculator set covers cost per milligram and route comparison.
Vials at Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, ship from stock already inside the Philippines, so an order has no customs leg. Their catalogue is the shortest route to what is listed locally and at what price, and anything outside it goes through the same WhatsApp thread. View the Primara Labs catalogue
Some users report early pain reduction. Nerve regeneration begins but is not yet felt.
Significant pain reduction in most users. Tingling and burning sensations decrease.
Clinical trials showed maximum nerve fiber density improvements at 8 weeks. Sustained pain relief.
Long-term maintenance dosing may be needed for chronic conditions. Nerve regeneration continues.
Everything above is research framing. If you have got as far as wanting a vial, the catalogue at Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, is the shortest way to see what is held inside the Philippines and at what price. View the Primara Labs catalogue
Our partner and supplier
Primara Labs, our partner and supplier, ships from inventory already inside the Philippines, so there is no customs leg: vials are batch-numbered, Metro Manila orders dispatch same day, the rest of the country lands in one to three business days, and every order gets 10% off. The current list sits on one page, and anything you cannot see on it goes through the same WhatsApp thread.
View the Primara Labs catalogueThe supply index covers what to ask a seller before paying, and why quoted prices vary so widely.
Citations supporting the clinical claims on this page. Each entry links to the primary record.
Tissue-protective EPO-derived peptides: Brines 2008
MechanismBrines M, Patel NSA, Villa P, et al. "Nonerythropoietic, tissue-protective peptides derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin." PNAS 2008;105(31):10925–10930.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0805594105Sarcoidosis small-fiber neuropathy trial: Heij 2012
TrialHeij L, Niesters M, Swartjes M, et al. "Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy." Mol Med 2012;18(1):1430–1436.
DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2012.00332Type 2 diabetes neuropathy trial: Brines 2015
TrialBrines 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 2015;20(1):658–666.
DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00215ARA-290 in sarcoidosis-induced chronic neuropathic pain: Niesters 2013
ReviewNiesters M, Swartjes M, Heij L, et al. "The erythropoietin analog ARA 290 for treatment of sarcoidosis-induced chronic neuropathic pain." Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2013;1(1):77–87.
DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2013.719289FDA Philippines drug registry: ARA-290 not listed
ReferenceFDA Philippines Registered Drug Products Database. Verified 2026-05-07: ARA-290 / cibinetide has no Philippine drug registration; available only as research-grade peptide.
SourceRisk · Disclosure · Editorial Status
This page is editorial information for adults researching peptide therapy. It is not medical advice, not a prescription, and not an endorsement of any specific product, supplier, or protocol. Side effects can be serious and individual response varies. Talk to a licensed physician (ideally one with peptide-specific clinical experience) before starting any compound, adjusting a dose, or discontinuing therapy.
In the Philippines, GLP-1 medications are prescription-only under FDA Philippines regulation. Research-grade peptides occupy a regulatory gray area: import for personal research use is generally tolerated, but the Bureau of Customs reserves the right to inspect and detain shipments. Do not import for resale.
Editorial Status
Independent · Non-clinical
Affiliation
Not a clinic · Not a pharmacy
Last Updated
August 27, 2026
