What is SS-31 studied for in research?

SS-31 (elamipretide) is studied within mitochondrial bioenergetics, cardiolipin binding, and oxidative-stress research models as a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. Under the name elamipretide the molecule was investigated in human clinical trials including MMPOWER-3 (primary mitochondrial myopathy) and TAZPOWER (Barth syndrome), and in 2025 it received FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome as FORZINITY; the material here is supplied for research use only and is not that approved drug.

Why is SS-31 called mitochondria-targeted?

Its aromatic-cationic structure is studied for concentrating at the inner mitochondrial membrane and associating with cardiolipin, the phospholipid that organizes cristae and electron-transport supercomplexes, which is why it is described as a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide in research.

Is SS-31 doctoral chemist tested?

Yes. Independent HPLC and mass-spectrometry analysis is run on every batch, and a lot-matched Certificate of Analysis documenting identity and purity of 99% or higher accompanies each order.

COMPOUND GUIDE 6 MIN READ

SS-31: Research Overview and Mechanism

SS-31 (elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted synthetic tetrapeptide studied in laboratory and preclinical research for its association with cardiolipin binding and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Under its development name elamipretide, the same molecule was evaluated in the Phase 3 MMPOWER-3 trial in primary mitochondrial myopathy and the TAZPOWER trial in Barth syndrome, and in September 2025 elamipretide HCl received FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome under the brand name FORZINITY, described as the first mitochondria-targeted therapeutic approved in the United States. That regulatory record is stated here as public fact; the material supplied is a lyophilized powder for research use only, not the approved drug product, and this overview describes what the molecule is studied for in research literature, not a therapeutic effect.

What SS-31 is

SS-31, also referred to as elamipretide, is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the structure D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 (molecular formula C32H49N9O5, free-base near 639.8 g/mol), where Dmt is 2,6-dimethyltyrosine. Its alternating aromatic and basic residues form an aromatic-cationic motif studied for its interaction with the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Because it is a defined tetrapeptide, its identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry and its purity measured by HPLC. It is commonly supplied as an acetate salt, so the salt form should be confirmed against the Certificate of Analysis before a molecular weight is used.

Pathways it is studied within

In research models, SS-31 partitions to the inner mitochondrial membrane and associates with cardiolipin, the signature phospholipid that organizes cristae architecture and the electron-transport-chain supercomplexes. Its investigated mechanism is stabilization of that cardiolipin-dependent structure, which is the basis for describing it as a mitochondria-targeted peptide and for its use as a tool compound in oxidative-stress and cellular-respiration research.

Under its development name elamipretide, the same molecule has been investigated in published human clinical trials, including the Phase 3 MMPOWER-3 trial in primary mitochondrial myopathy, the TAZPOWER crossover trial in Barth syndrome, and the Phase 2 ReCLAIM-2 trial in geographic atrophy secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration. In September 2025 the U.S. FDA granted elamipretide HCl accelerated approval for Barth syndrome under the brand name FORZINITY, reported as the first mitochondria-targeted therapeutic to be approved. That clinical and regulatory record is reported here in the third person as public fact and the state of the research; the material supplied on this site is for research use only and is not the approved drug product.

Handling and documentation

Pinnacle SS-31 ships as a lyophilized powder with a lot-matched Certificate of Analysis reporting HPLC purity of 99% or higher and a mass-spectrometry check against the D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 tetrapeptide. Because this aromatic-cationic peptide is commonly supplied as an acetate salt, the counter-ion shifts the observed mass away from the free-base 639.8 g/mol figure, so read the salt form off the COA before using a molecular weight.

Store the sealed vial at -20C protected from light and, once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, refrigerate the solution and minimize freeze-thaw cycles. Confirm CAS 736992-21-5 on the certificate.

All products are intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and development use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not a drug, food, or cosmetic, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.