Overview
Elamipretide, widely known by its research code SS-31, is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide from the Szeto-Schiller family, named after the scientists who designed it. Its alternating aromatic and basic residues, including the modified amino acid dimethyltyrosine, allow it to cross cell membranes and concentrate several-hundred-fold in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
in vitro studies and animal models.">Preclinical studies explored SS-31 in models of cardiac ischaemia, heart failure, kidney injury and age-related decline in muscle function. Clinical research followed in primary mitochondrial myopathy, where a phase 3 trial did not meet its primary endpoint, and in Barth syndrome, a rare cardiolipin disorder, where trial and extension data were published. The FDA granted accelerated approval for Barth syndrome in 2025; the compound remains investigational for other conditions. Our product is the research-grade reference peptide for mitochondrial biology studies.
Mechanism studied
- SS-31
- Inner mitochondrial membrane
- Cardiolipin stabilisation
- ATP production & ROS
SS-31 binds cardiolipin, a phospholipid unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane that organises the electron transport chain into supercomplexes and anchors cytochrome c. By stabilising cardiolipin and limiting its peroxidation, SS-31 is reported to preserve cristae structure, improve electron transfer efficiency and reduce reactive oxygen species production. In aged and diseased animal models this was associated with restored ATP synthesis and improved muscle and cardiac function. It does not act as a classic free-radical scavenger but as a membrane-targeted stabiliser.
Research highlights
- 01Szeto-Schiller tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane
- 02Binds cardiolipin, stabilising cristae and electron transport supercomplexes
- 03Phase 3 trial in primary mitochondrial myopathy missed its primary endpoint
- 04Barth syndrome studies published in Genetics in Medicine (2021)
- 05Studied extensively in ageing, cardiac and renal models
Research areas
- Cardiolipin & inner-membrane biology
- Mitochondrial myopathy research
- Cardiac bioenergetics
- Oxidative stress models
Evidence & regulatory status
Overall status: Investigational; FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome (2025)
Key references
- [1]Reid Thompson et al., 2021 — Genet Med
- [2]PubMed — reviews on elamipretide SS-31
Latest published research
452 papers on PubMed →Pre-qualifications, learning strategies, and study satisfaction among medical students: insights from a multicenter German study
Schröpel C et al. · Medical education online · 2026 Dec 31 · PMID 42357949
Seawater immersion reshapes the temporal dynamics of traumatic brain injury and reveals mitochondrial oxidative stress as a modifiable therapeutic target
Li W et al. · Experimental neurology · 2026 Dec · PMID 42600764
Mitochondria-targeted MXene-based nanozymes promote mitophagy and inhibit mtDNA-triggered cGAS/STING inflammation in osteoarthritis
Li T et al. · Bioactive materials · 2026 Dec · PMID 42473606
Disruption of hippocampal mitochondrial function underlies opioid-induced postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats
Muscat SM et al. · Brain, behavior, and immunity · 2026 Nov · PMID 42546889
Report from the 2026 Barth Syndrome Foundation International Scientific, Medical & Family Conference: Advances in Barth Syndrome Research, Therapy Development, and Clinical Care
Marjoram L et al. · Journal of developmental biology · 2026 Oct 19 · PMID 42924728
Mitochondrial Quality Control in Degenerative Musculoskeletal Diseases: Signaling Networks and Therapeutic Landscapes
Gao H et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026 Oct 14 · PMID 42875857
Mitochondria-targeted peptide elamipretide alleviates cisplatin-induced ovarian failure by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway
Zhao Y et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026 · PMID 42898512
Elamipretide Rejuvenates Oocyte Quality and Restores Female Fertility During Reproductive Aging
Zhang HL et al. · Aging cell · 2026 Oct · PMID 42827331
Live feed from PubMed (NCBI) for “Elamipretide (SS-31)”, updated 2026-10-30. Listing a paper is not an endorsement of its findings.
Registered studies
21 on ClinicalTrials.gov →- Available
An Intermediate Size Expanded Access Protocol of Elamipretide
NCT04689360 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc.
- Active not recruitingPhase 3
ReNEW:Phase 3 Study of Efficacy, Safety & Pharmacokinetics of Subcutaneous Injections of Elamipretide in Subjects With Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD)
NCT06373731 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. · 2024-05-30
- RecruitingPhase 4
Clinical Trial in Patients With Barth Syndrome- 4TAZPower
NCT07531251 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. · 2026-07-02
- CompletedPhase 1Phase 2
FRDA Investigator Initiated Study (IIS) With Elamipretide
NCT05168774 · Children's Hospital of Philadelphia · 2022-03-03
- RecruitingPhase 2
Study of Healthy Aging and Physical Function With Elamipretide
NCT07275424 · David Marcinek · 2025-11-26
- CompletedPhase 3
Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Elamipretide in Subjects With Primary Mitochondrial Disease From Nuclear DNA Mutations (nPMD)
NCT05162768 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. · 2022-04-29
- CompletedPhase 2
ReCLAIM-2 Study to Evaluate Safety,Efficacy & Pharmacokinetics of Elamipretide in Subjects With AMD With Non-central GA
NCT03891875 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. · 2019-03-27
- CompletedPhase 2Phase 3
A Trial to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Elamipretide in Subjects With Barth Syndrome
NCT03098797 · Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc. · 2017-07-05
From the public ClinicalTrials.gov registry for “Elamipretide (SS-31)”, updated 2026-10-30. Shown for research context only; Purity Peptides products are not for human use.
FAQ
Its alternating aromatic and positively charged residues let it pass through cell membranes and accumulate in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds cardiolipin. This selective localisation is why SS-31 is widely used in research on mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress.
Lyophilized SS-31 is normally kept sealed at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted for laboratory work, aliquots are held at 2–8 °C for short-term use or frozen, avoiding repeated freeze–thaw. Follow the lot-specific guidance on the certificate of analysis.
Every lot of SS-31 ships with a certificate of analysis reporting HPLC purity, mass-spectrometry identity against the expected molecular weight, appearance and lot number. Match the COA lot to the vial label and keep it with your experimental records.
Last updated October 2026 · Reviewed by the Purity Peptides research team · Information is a summary of published literature and is not a recommendation for any use.
