Cardiolipin interaction
The peptide targets cardiolipin-rich mitochondrial membranes and is studied for effects on membrane structure and respiratory proteins.
P—24 • Clinically established rare-disease profile
Elamipretide(Also known as SS-31, Bendavia, MTP-131)
A concise educational overview of a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide studied in cardiolipin biology, mitochondrial energetics, and Barth syndrome.
Name
Elamipretide
Also known as SS-31, Bendavia, or MTP-131; FDA-approved product: Forzinity
- Scientific classification
- Synthetic aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide that localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane
- Library family
- Metabolic
- Research status
- Clinically established for a narrowly defined rare-disease indication, with continuing mitochondrial research
- Regulatory status
- FDA granted accelerated approval to Forzinity in 2025 for improving muscle strength in certain patients with Barth syndrome; approval does not extend to research-market SS-31 products or other uses
Compound overview
A mitochondria-targeting peptide with one narrowly defined approved application.
Elamipretide—also known in research as SS-31, Bendavia, or MTP-131—is a tetrapeptide designed to concentrate at the inner mitochondrial membrane and interact with cardiolipin.
An FDA-approved elamipretide product exists for a specific Barth syndrome population. That approval does not establish equivalence, purity, safety, or effectiveness for products marketed under its research aliases.
Mechanism under study
Cardiolipin-associated mitochondrial signaling
Elamipretide associates with cardiolipin at the inner mitochondrial membrane, where research examines effects on membrane organization, electron transport, and energy production.
Electron transport
Experimental research examines electron-flow efficiency, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial coupling.
Cellular energetics
Clinical and laboratory studies measure ATP production, exercise response, and tissue-specific mitochondrial function.
Clinical meaning depends on the exact pharmaceutical product, approved indication, population, and controlled treatment setting.
Current research areas
Questions under investigation
- Barth syndrome and cardiolipin metabolism
- Mitochondrial ATP production
- Skeletal-muscle energetics
- Cardiac mitochondrial function
- Post-approval confirmation and long-term safety
Evidence summary
Defined approval and continuing research
- Barth syndrome: Forzinity received accelerated FDA approval for a defined population based on improvement in muscle-strength measures.
- Mitochondrial capacity: A randomized study in older adults reported a short-term increase in measured skeletal-muscle ATP capacity after a single exposure.
- Cardiac research: Early trials examined acute cardiac structure and mitochondrial-injury markers.
- Broader indications: Research outside the approved Barth syndrome use remains indication-specific and should not be generalized.
The approved benefit is narrow and product-specific. Continued confirmatory research is required, and findings do not establish benefits for unapproved products or general wellness use.
Educational notice
Education, not usage guidance.
This profile is provided for scientific education only. It is not medical advice, prescribing guidance, dosing information, or instructions for SS-31 or elamipretide use. FDA approval applies only to the approved Forzinity product and indication, not to research-market SS-31 materials.
Key scientific referencesComing soon
A curated primary-source reference list will be added during the next educational expansion.