SS-31
Also Known As: Elamipretide, MTP-131, Bendavia, SS-31 peptide, Szeto-Schiller 31, D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2, Cardiolipin-targeting peptide, Mitochondria-targeted peptide, Mitochondrial protective peptide, Inner mitochondrial membrane peptide, Cardiac mitochondria peptide, Bendavia heart failure, SS31 Barth syndrome, mitochondrial targeting, cardiolipin
SS-31 is a research-grade Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide targeting Cardiolipin on inner mitochondrial membrane studied in Anti-Aging & Longevity research. It is supplied strictly for in vitro laboratory research use only - not for human or animal consumption, and not FDA-approved.
Evidence Tier: Approved Drug - FDA and/or EMA approved with robust human trial data.
A mitochondria-protecting peptide newly approved for the rare Barth syndrome and studied broadly for mitochondrial and heart conditions.
At A Glance
| Category | Anti-Aging & Longevity |
|---|---|
| Compound Class | Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2); cardiolipin-targeting |
| Molecular Target | Cardiolipin on inner mitochondrial membrane; scavenges mitochondrial ROS; stabilizes cristae architecture; restores respiratory chain efficiency |
| Molecular Weight | 639.79 Da |
| Amino Acid Sequence | D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 |
| CAS Number | 736992-21-5 |
| Half-Life | ~4 hours |
| WADA Status | not_listed |
| Evidence Tier | Approved Drug |
Mechanism Of Action
It specifically binds to cardiolipin, a vital fat found on the inner wall of the mitochondria. This instantly restores the structural integrity of the cell's energy factory, improving ATP output.
Studied For
- Primary mitochondrial disease
- Barth syndrome (cardiolipin deficiency)
- Heart failure / ischemia-reperfusion injury
- Dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration)
- Mitochondrial aging
- Cardiac energetics
- Skeletal muscle mitochondria
- Kidney ischemia-reperfusion models
- ROS reduction at mitochondria
- Cardiolipin stabilization
- Respiratory chain Complex I-V efficiency
- ATP production enhancement
- Frailty / aging mitochondria
- Chronic kidney disease models
- Neurodegenerative disease mitochondria
- Exercise intolerance research
- energy production
- anti-aging
- mitochondrial repair
- heart failure
- cognitive decline
- ischemia reperfusion
- kidney protection
Reported Research Findings
The Barth-syndrome trial (TAZPOWER) supported a 2025 FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome; the primary mitochondrial myopathy program (MMPOWER-3) failed its endpoints, and several cardiac and dry-AMD endpoints were mixed or not met. Still the strongest human evidence in this group.
Safety And Handling Notes
Injection-site reactions, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms; generally tolerable at studied doses.
The 2025 accelerated approval is narrow (Barth syndrome, patients at least 30 kg); accelerated approval is conditional on confirmatory evidence. All other uses remain investigational and several large trials did not meet their endpoints. Research use only outside approved labeling.
Regulatory Status
FDA accelerated approval 19 September 2025 as Forzinity (elamipretide hydrochloride) to improve muscle strength in adult and pediatric patients with Barth syndrome weighing at least 30 kg; 40 mg subcutaneous once daily. Holds FDA Orphan Drug, Fast Track, Priority Review and Rare Pediatric designations, and an EMA Orphan Drug designation for Barth syndrome. No EMA marketing authorization identified as of August 2026. All other uses remain investigational. Not on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List.
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