SS-31 (Elamipretide)

Longevity In trials Human trials

Also called Elamipretide, Bendavia, MTP-131

A four-amino-acid peptide that crosses into cells and parks on the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds cardiolipin — the lipid that keeps the energy-producing machinery correctly folded. Restoring that structure is meant to improve how efficiently mitochondria make ATP.

Evidence at a glance

Evidence: Human trials — Studied in people
Status: Reached clinical trials
Dosing: A dose has been tested in humans

Several late-stage trials missed their primary endpoints, including in primary mitochondrial myopathy and Barth syndrome, so results are genuinely mixed rather than uniformly positive.

What studies report

Improved mitochondrial function and exercise tolerance in primary mitochondrial myopathy trials
Better cardiac function measures in heart failure studies
Improved muscle energetics in older adults in a small imaging study

How it works

Targets the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin, stabilising cristae architecture and restoring electron transport chain efficiency.

Binds a receptor on the cell surface and signals inward

Where it acts

Acts body-wide rather than on one organ

The library groups this compound under Longevity. The diagram shows that target, not every tissue it reaches.

Illustrated

A cutaway single mitochondrion with particularly detailed inner membrane and closely packed cristae, oblique vertical view.

AI-generated subject illustration; not a depiction of the compound or evidence of its effects.

Why people take it

Mitochondrial energy and fatigueHeart failure and cardiac functionAge-related muscle weaknessRetinal conditionsEye conditions involving the retina

Reasons people seek it out — not a list of proven effects.

In practice Unapproved use

An emerging favourite in the mitochondrial and longevity community
Interest grew despite mixed trial results, driven by the mechanism

Reported real-world use, not evidence and not a recommendation.

Dosing

What was tested Evidence

40 mg daily, subcutaneous4–48 weeksPhase 2/3 in primary mitochondrial myopathy→ Improved 6-minute walk in phase 2; phase 3 missed its primary endpoint

What people report using Not evidence

Emerging use in longevity circles; no established community range

Reported for reference, not as instruction. Nothing here is a recommendation to take anything, and most of these compounds are not approved for human use.

Status: Reached phase 3 trials. Not approved.

Route: Subcutaneous injection, from reconstituted lyophilised powder
Sequence: D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2
Formula: C32H49N9O5
Molecular weight: 639.8 g/mol
CAS: 736992-21-5
Available as: 10 mg

View on PubChem →

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Educational information only. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing protocol, or a recommendation to use any compound. Most entries describe substances not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before acting on anything you read here. How to read these entries.