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Stonehaven Insights

Clear research articles, educational guides, and considered perspectives designed to support informed laboratory review.

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SS-31 (Elamipretide) mitochondria-targeted therapeutic

Educational Guide

What Is SS-31? The First Mitochondria-Targeted Therapeutic Explained

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is the first FDA-approved mitochondria-targeted therapeutic, cleared as Forzinity for Barth Syndrome in 2025. Unlike peptides that work through receptor signaling, SS-31 binds cardiolipin — a key structural lipid in the mitochondria — to repair the physical architecture that energy production depends on. This piece covers its discovery, its mechanism, and why that structural approach sets it apart from compounds like BPC-157 or Semaglutide.

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SS-31 works by stabilizing cardiolipin and repairing mitochondrial architecture

Research Article

Where the Clinical Evidence on SS-31 Actually Stands

Beyond its approval for Barth Syndrome, SS-31 has been studied across kidney protection, cardiovascular function, exercise performance, neurological health, and eye disease. This piece breaks down the evidence area by area — including where results are strong (renal blood flow, exercise capacity) and where they're more mixed (human cardiovascular trials, brain penetration) — for a clear-eyed picture of what the research actually supports.

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