SS-31 / Elamipretide

aka SS-31 · Bendavia

CAS 736992-21-5C32H49N9O5
moderate evidenceInvestigational

SS-31 / Elamipretide in brief

SS-31 / Elamipretide (Bendavia) is a mitochondria-targeted peptide that binds to cardiolipin and improves mitochondrial function. Amino Axiom rates its evidence base moderate, drawing on 3 PubMed results (3 human studies) and 1 registered trial listed below. Its reported half-life is 3-4 hours. It is filed under Metabolic & Mitochondrial in the Amino Axiom compound index.

Research data

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Long-form breakdowns

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Short-form clips

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Full Research Data

Overview

Elamipretide (SS-31) is a tetrapeptide that selectively targets mitochondria and binds to cardiolipin, a key mitochondrial membrane phospholipid. By stabilizing cardiolipin, it improves mitochondrial bioenergetics and reduces oxidative stress. Clinical trials have been conducted for heart failure, mitochondrial diseases, and age-related conditions.

PubMed results: 3 · Human studies: 3 · Animal studies: 3

Dosing Ranges

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

  • Subcutaneous Injection — standard range 0.25-0.5 mg/kg, Daily. Based on clinical trials for heart failure
Half-Life

3-4 hours (moderate confidence)

Observed Benefits
  • Mitochondrial bioenergetics support (Moderate clinical): Elamipretide (SS-31) selectively targets mitochondria and binds cardiolipin; clinical and preclinical research has studied improvements in mitochondrial bioenergetics and reduced oxidative stress markers in models of mitochondrial dysfunction
  • Cardiolipin membrane stabilization research (Strong preclinical): Studies indicate that stabilizing cardiolipin at the inner mitochondrial membrane can preserve electron transport chain organization and reduce reactive oxygen species generation under stress conditions
  • Investigational research in mitochondrial and cardiac conditions (Moderate clinical): Clinical development programs have examined elamipretide in heart failure, primary mitochondrial disease contexts, and age-related functional endpoints; Friedreich ataxia has been among researched indications
Side Effects
  • Injection site reactions — Mild, Common. Clinical trial reports for subcutaneous elamipretide commonly note local injection-site reactions including erythema, pruritus, or mild pain
  • Headache or mild systemic symptoms — Mild, Uncommon. Research protocols have reported occasional headache, fatigue, or nonspecific systemic symptoms; overall tolerability profiles in published trials have generally been favorable
Contraindications
  • Known hypersensitivity to elamipretide or formulation components (Clinical): As with investigational peptides, documented or suspected hypersensitivity is a standard exclusion in clinical research protocols
  • Unstable advanced cardiac disease outside controlled research settings (Clinical): Given clinical study of elamipretide in heart-failure and mitochondrial-myopathy populations, research programs typically restrict enrollment to carefully selected cardiac status criteria
Storage

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water

Clinical Trials
  • NCT05168774 — FRDA Investigator Initiated Study (IIS) With Elamipretide (PHASE1 / PHASE2), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Friedreich Ataxia