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Recovery & Repair
An EPO-derived peptide that protects tissue without raising red blood cells.
Recovery & Repair
A recombinant follistatin analog engineered to bind myostatin and activin.
ARA-290 is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; Flgr-242 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. ARA-290 has more human evidence behind it. ARA-290 is banned in sport by WADA; Flgr-242 is not. Both are used for recovery & repair goals.
| Compare | ARA-290 An EPO-derived peptide that protects tissue without raising red blood cells. | Flgr-242 A recombinant follistatin analog engineered to bind myostatin and activin. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Recovery & Repair | Recovery & Repair |
| Evidence | 3/5Small human Phase 2 trials (sarcoidosis small-fiber neuropathy, type 2 diabetes neuropathy). No Phase 3. | 1/5No published human, animal, or in‑vitro studies specific to FLGR‑242; only background on follistatin biology. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA‑approved |
| WADA (sport) | Banned | Not on the Prohibited List |
| Also known as | Cibinetide, Helix B surface peptide analog | FLGR242, Follistatin FLGR242 |
| How it works | Activates the 'innate repair receptor' (EPO receptor paired with the beta-common receptor), which calms inflammation and protects nerves. It does not activate the receptor that makes red blood cells, so it does not thicken blood the way EPO does. | The peptide binds myostatin and activin, blocking their interaction with activin type‑II receptors and thereby reducing SMAD2/3 signaling that suppresses muscle protein synthesis. |
| Half-life | About 2 minutes in plasma; effects last much longer via receptor signaling | Unknown: no published data (sellers claim about 2–3 weeks) |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Subcutaneous | – |
| Good once mixed | ~28 days in the fridge | No published dose yet |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $3.00 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | – |
| Latest lab purity | 99.93% (lot ARA0002) | – |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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ARA-290 is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; Flgr-242 is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. ARA-290 has more human evidence behind it. ARA-290 is banned in sport by WADA; Flgr-242 is not. Both are used for recovery & repair goals.
ARA-290: Not FDA-approved. Flgr-242: Not FDA‑approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
ARA-290 is rated 3 out of 5: Small human Phase 2 trials (sarcoidosis small-fiber neuropathy, type 2 diabetes neuropathy). No Phase 3. Flgr-242 is rated 1 out of 5: No published human, animal, or in‑vitro studies specific to FLGR‑242; only background on follistatin biology. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
ARA-290 is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class. Flgr-242 is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply.