SS-31

Third-Party Tested

Independent lab verified

Batch-Specific CoA

Publicly accessible

YPB.246

Reference number

50mg

Lyophilized vial

Origin

SS-31 (also known as Elamipretide/Bendavia/MTP-131) was developed by Hazel Szeto and Peter Bhatt at Weill Cornell Medical College. The Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptide series was designed to selectively target and concentrate in the inner mitochondrial membrane, exploiting an alternating aromatic-cationic motif that drives mitochondrial uptake independent of membrane potential.

Research Lineage

Szeto published the foundational characterization of the SS peptide series in the early 2000s. Stealth BioTherapeutics advanced Elamipretide (the clinical form of SS-31) through multiple Phase II/III clinical trials for Barth syndrome, heart failure, and renal disease. It received FDA Fast Track designation for Barth syndrome. The compound has generated over 200 research publications.

Mechanism of Action

SS-31 concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane at approximately 1000-fold over extracellular concentrations. It binds to cardiolipin, a phospholipid essential for cytochrome c function and electron transport chain complex organization. By stabilizing cardiolipin-protein interactions, it has been observed to optimize electron transfer, reduce ROS generation at Complex I and III, and restore mitochondrial bioenergetics in preclinical models.

Structural Notes

Tetrapeptide. Sequence: D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 (Dmt = 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine). Molecular weight: 639.8 Da. The alternating aromatic-cationic motif enables mitochondrial targeting.