ARA-290 vs BPC-157
Both are sold as repair peptides, but only ARA-290 has randomized human data behind it. BPC-157's entire case is rodent, and neither molecule is approved.
ARA-290
Cibinetide
An EPO-derived tissue-protective peptide with small but real human small-fiber-neuropathy data in sarcoidosis — still investigational and unapproved.
Full ARA-290 evidence reviewBPC-157
Almost entirely animal data; no validated human dose and no controlled efficacy trials.
Full BPC-157 evidence reviewSide by side
| ARA-290 | BPC-157 | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed for | Neuropathy, tissue repair | Healing, recovery, gut health |
| Evidence grade | Clinical data | Preclinical / minimal |
| Family | Immune / metabolic | Repair / structural |
| Regulatory status | Investigational | Not FDA-approved |
| How it's obtained | Research-only | Research-only |
| Key human source | Heij, Mol Med 2012 | Pharmaceutics review, 2026 |
marks a row where the two differ. Evidence grades come from our evidence matrix, which grades each molecule on the human data for the use it is marketed for.
Our verdict
ARA-290 (cibinetide) has the stronger evidence: small Phase 2 trials in sarcoidosis-associated small-fiber neuropathy showed improved symptoms and increased corneal nerve fiber measures, and a separate Phase 2 in type 2 diabetes suggested improvement in neuropathic symptoms; these were separate trials rather than any comparison against BPC-157, and each was small, on the order of a few dozen patients dosed for about four weeks. BPC-157 has no published randomized controlled trial in humans for any indication, which means no established dosing, no long-term safety profile, and no human pharmacokinetics, and the FDA flagged it in 2023 as ineligible for compounding. ARA-290 remains investigational and is not approved by any regulator, and what circulates online as either peptide is unregulated material, not the clinical-grade product used in trials.
ARA-290 fits if
ARA-290 is the better fit for a reader interested in nerve repair who wants a molecule with real, if small and short, randomized human proof-of-concept.
BPC-157 fits if
BPC-157 is the one to read if your question is tendon, muscle, or gut recovery, with the understanding that the whole case is rodent and the product is unregulated.
Where to get it
Where to get peptide therapy
Clinician-led telehealth services that prescribe compounded peptides. The specific peptides offered vary by provider — confirm ARA-290 (Cibinetide) availability before ordering.
