The protocol at a glance
The phase 2b trial gave 1, 4 or 8 mg a day under the skin for 28 days. The 4 mg group showed the clearest gain in nerve fibres.
| Trial | Amount and schedule |
|---|---|
| Phase 2b, sarcoidosis nerve loss (64 people) | 1, 4 or 8 mg under the skin every day for 28 days |
| Pilot, sarcoidosis (22 people) | 2 mg by vein, 3 times a week for 4 weeks |
| Diabetic eye swelling (NCT06626971) | 4 mg under the skin every day for 12 weeks; ended early with 9 people |
Culver 2017 / NCT02039687 (phase 2b), Heij 2012 (pilot), NCT06626971 (Belfast investigator-led, terminated). Only the 4 mg arm clearly beat placebo on the main nerve measure.
We note the published phase 2 schedule of 4 mg a day under the skin for 28 days; community reports may differ.
What people say they do, collected from community discussions. Not tested in a trial; shown so you can compare it with the evidence above.
Mixing calculator
Enter the vial size, the water you add and the amount you want to draw; it gives the mark on a 100-unit (1 mL) insulin syringe.
What the trials found
Phase 2b trial, 64 people with sarcoidosis and nerve pain, 28 days. What was measured: gain in nerve fibre area in the cornea, compared with placebo.
Culver DA et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017 (PMID 28475703), ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02039687. Pain improved in all groups including placebo; the gain over placebo in people with moderate to severe pain was not statistically significant (P = 0.157).
Side effects
- The 2012 pilot found no safety concerns from clinical or lab checks.
- Safety beyond a few weeks of use is not known.
- The diabetic eye trial (NCT06626971) was terminated early; we found no stated reason.
How it works
Innate repair receptor
ARA-290 is designed to activate a receptor that is thought to calm inflammation and start tissue repair. It is described as a non-hematopoietic erythropoietin analogue, meaning it is not meant to raise red blood cells.
Sources
- Culver DA et al. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017 (cibinetide phase 2b), PMID 28475703
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02039687 (Araim Pharmaceuticals, results posted)
- Heij L et al. Mol Med 2012 (pilot), PMID 23168581
- Dahan A et al. Mol Med 2013, PMID 24136731
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06626971 (diabetic macular oedema, terminated)
- FDA 503A bulk drug substances list (Category 3: Cibinetide (ARA-290)), updated May 14 2026