SS-31.
A synthetic tetrapeptide engineered to concentrate selectively in the inner mitochondrial membrane. SS-31 binds cardiolipin — the structural phospholipid of the electron transport chain — restoring bioenergetics in damaged cells across multiple organ systems.
Want the full narrative? Read the SS-31 Research Guide for the published-study discussion and mechanism deep-dive.
- Key Signals
- Mitochondria · Energy · Cardioprotection
- Origin
- Synthetic (aromatic-cationic design)
- Investigator
- Szeto & Schiller, 2000s
- Class
- Mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide
- Status (UAE)
- Research compound (Phase II)
Straight to the mitochondria.
Szeto and Schiller engineer aromatic-cationic peptides that bypass active transport, concentrating 1000-fold in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
SS-31 binds cardiolipin, stabilising cristae architecture and restoring electron transport chain efficiency — reducing ROS and recovering ATP.
Phase II TAZPOWER (Barth syndrome) and MMAD (heart failure) completed. FDA Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations granted.
Four amino acids, one address.
D-Arg · Dmt · Lys · Phe-NH₂
C₃₂H₄₉N₉O₅ · MW 638.8 Da · Dmt = 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine
A tetrapeptide with alternating aromatic and cationic residues — the Dmt modification confers potent antioxidant activity. Selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane at cardiolipin sites.
Fix the power plant, fix the cell.
Human Phase II data exists — mixed on endpoints, but target biology is validated at trial level.
- Barth syndrome improvement
- Exercise capacity gains
- Cardiolipin binding verified
- Orphan Drug designation
- ROS reduction in biopsies
- Ischaemia-reperfusion protection
- Skeletal muscle fatigue relief
- Aged tissue ATP recovery
- Kidney disease models
- Healthy ageing / longevity
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- General anti-ageing
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Mechanism deep-dive and research dosing protocols — available to registered researchers. It's free and takes under a minute.
The orphan drug with a human story.
In the UAE, research-grade peptides occupy a defined regulatory category distinct from licensed medicines. Compounds sold under this classification — including those offered by Dubai Peptides — are intended exclusively for qualified research applications, not for human administration.
SS-31 has a more defined regulatory history than most research peptides. FDA Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations cover Barth syndrome — a genetic mitochondrial cardiomyopathy with no approved treatment. TAZPOWER Phase II produced positive outcomes. MMAD heart failure trial completed Phase II. No approval granted; Stealth BioTherapeutics stalled commercially in 2022.
Szeto-Schiller lab designs aromatic-cationic peptides targeting cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Phase II Barth syndrome trial reports positive outcomes; FDA Orphan Drug designation granted.
Heart failure Phase II completes. Stealth BioTherapeutics encounters financial difficulties; research compound continues.