ARA-290 vs VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
Two investigational cytoprotective/anti-inflammatory peptides with a shared pattern — a real, narrow positive signal in one specific condition, followed by disappointing results everywhere else.
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 reviewVIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
Aviptadil
Real vasodilatory/immune biology, and synthetic VIP (aviptadil) reached large trials — but the flagship COVID-ARDS trial (TESICO) was negative, and the compounded nasal 'mold/CIRS' protocol has no controlled evidence.
Full VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) evidence reviewSide by side
| ARA-290 | VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed for | Neuropathy, tissue repair | Mold illness / CIRS |
| Evidence grade | Clinical data | Clinical data |
| Family | Immune / metabolic | Immune / metabolic |
| Regulatory status | Investigational | Investigational |
| How it's obtained | Research-only | Compounded |
| Key human source | Heij, Mol Med 2012 | TESICO, Lancet Respir Med 2023 |
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's real evidence is small-fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis, a narrow but genuine human signal. VIP's synthetic form (aviptadil) actually reached large trials, but its flagship application — COVID-ARDS — came back negative in the definitive TESICO trial. Neither has an approved product, and the compounded/off-label uses both get sold for run well ahead of any controlled evidence.
ARA-290 fits if
Neuropathy-adjacent nerve protection is the specific interest, understanding the human data is narrow — one condition, small trials.
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) fits if
You're specifically investigating the mold/CIRS nasal-spray claim — know that no controlled trial supports that use, and the compound's one large trial, in a different condition, failed.
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.
