Ara-290
An eleven-amino-acid peptide from erythropoietin that keeps its tissue-protective effects without raising red blood cells. Phase 2 data in sarcoidosis neuropathy is encouraging but small.
Healing & Repair
THR-123
A small orally active BMP-7 mimetic that reversed kidney fibrosis in mouse models. Preclinical only — no human data exists.
Overview
Fibrosis is the process where injured tissue is replaced with scar rather than function. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 opposes that process in the kidney, but it is a large protein and cannot be given orally. THR-123 is a small peptide designed to activate the same receptor. In several mouse models of kidney injury, giving it orally not only stopped fibrosis progressing but partially reversed established damage.
A small peptide agonist of activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3), the type I BMP receptor mediating BMP-7 signalling in renal tubular epithelium. Activation drives SMAD1/5/8 signalling, opposing TGF-beta/SMAD3-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and myofibroblast activation. In murine models of nephrotoxic serum nephritis, unilateral ureteral obstruction and Alport syndrome, oral THR-123 reduced fibrosis and improved renal function, with synergy reported alongside ACE inhibition. Efficacy is ALK3-dependent — it is lost in tubule-specific ALK3 knockouts, which is unusually clean mechanistic evidence for a preclinical compound.
Research areas
Renal fibrosisChronic kidney diseaseBMP signalling
Dosing reported in the literature
Every protocol below is reproduced from a published study or approved labelling, with its source named. These are records of what was studied — not recommendations, and not a suggestion that any of them is appropriate for any person.
| Protocol as reported | Source |
|---|---|
| Oral THR-123 in murine models of acute and chronic kidney injury, dosed daily over several weeks | Sugimoto et al., Nature Medicine 2012 |
Trial status
Preclinical only. No human trials of any phase.
Reported safety signals
- No human safety data of any kind.
- BMP signalling regulates bone formation and vascular calcification as well as renal repair; systemic agonism has consequences beyond the kidney that no study has characterised.
- Not commercially available through legitimate channels; anything sold under this name is unverified.
Common questions
Has any BMP-7 pathway drug reached patients for fibrosis?
No. Recombinant BMP-7 itself is approved in some jurisdictions for bone applications, but nothing targeting this pathway has been approved for renal or organ fibrosis, and THR-123 has not entered clinical development.
Primary sources
Medical disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. The compounds discussed are research chemicals. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any protocol.
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