What Is SS-31?

Also known as: Elamipretide

SS-31 (elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin, a lipid unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilizing the electron-transport machinery that produces cellular energy. It concentrates in mitochondria a thousand-fold over other compartments.

It is a serious clinical-stage drug: Stealth BioTherapeutics has run human trials in mitochondrial myopathy, Barth syndrome, heart failure and dry AMD — with mixed but genuine results, including an FDA advisory-committee journey for Barth syndrome. The research market adopted it as the 'mitochondrial repair' molecule.

What is SS-31 studied for?

Side effects & safety

Trial-documented tolerability is good; injection-site reactions dominate. Its clinical-stage status means dosing outside trials is guesswork calibrated to published protocols.

Legal & approval status

Investigational drug in real trials; unapproved. Research-market vials are outside its clinical supply chain.

Typical dosing at a glance

Commonly reported protocols use 5 mg–20 mg, daily or every other day, via subcutaneous injection. For the mixing math — how much bacteriostatic water, exact syringe units, doses per vial — see the SS-31 reconstitution calculator →

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Educational overview based on published research and commonly reported community protocols — not medical advice, and not an endorsement of any compound. Consult a licensed healthcare provider.