SS-31[Elamipretide]
Compound snapshot
Class
Research peptide
FDA approved
No
Clinical development
Preclinical
Last reviewed
September 2026
Research areas
Metabolism / Body weight / Mitochondrial function
Regulatory status
Investigational (in trials)
Internet attention
Moderate
Registry query
SS-31
A mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The most clinically advanced compound in this list after the approved medicines.
Reality check — what we actually know
Supported by human evidence
- No adequately powered randomised human trials establish the outcomes this compound is marketed for.
Animal research only
- Improved mitochondrial ATP production in muscle biopsies from older adults
- Studied in primary mitochondrial myopathy, Barth syndrome, heart failure and dry age-related macular degeneration
- Reduced oxidative stress without blunting normal redox signalling
Mechanistically plausible
- Binds cardiolipin, a lipid unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilising cristae structure and improving electron-transport efficiency while reducing reactive oxygen species leakage.
Common internet claims
- Online discussion frequently presents SS-31 as a proven treatment rather than a research compound.
Not established
- Human efficacy for the outcomes commonly claimed
- Optimal route, quantity and duration in humans
- Long-term human safety
Evidence distribution
Each band is a live PubMed search for SS-31, filtered to that kind of study. Top is the strongest evidence; the base is reasoning, not proof. A band with no records means that kind of study has not been published for this compound yet.
Mechanism and reported findings
Binds cardiolipin, a lipid unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilising cristae structure and improving electron-transport efficiency while reducing reactive oxygen species leakage.
- Improved mitochondrial ATP production in muscle biopsies from older adults
- Studied in primary mitochondrial myopathy, Barth syndrome, heart failure and dry age-related macular degeneration
- Reduced oxidative stress without blunting normal redox signalling
- Improvements in eye and muscle endpoints in some trials, with mixed results in others
Strength of the evidence: Multiple registered human trials including Phase 3. Results have been mixed; it has not gained broad approval.
Safety and known cautions
Investigational; efficacy is not settled. Injection-site reactions are the most common trial finding.
Evidence at a glance
No single score, on purpose. The line beside each bar shows how much reported outcomes vary between studies.
Development stage
- Discovery
- PreclinicalCurrent
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Regulatory review
- Approved