SS-31
$Approved for Barth syndrome; Broader mitochondrial uses remain investigational
SS-31, now approved as elamipretide under the FORZINITY label, targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The approved use is narrow.
Approval scope matters. Evidence supporting accelerated approval for Barth syndrome does not prove general fatigue, longevity, or mitochondrial optimization use in healthy people. Read the indication, patient weight threshold, route, and label warnings. Separate disease-specific endpoints, confirmatory-trial obligations, and off-label speculation.
Classification details
- SS-31, also known as elamipretide, is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide.
- The approved commercial product is FORZINITY for Barth syndrome. Research-grade SS-31 is not automatically interchangeable with the approved drug product.
- SS-31/elamipretide is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin-associated mitochondrial membranes. Approved Forzinity is a specific elamipretide product for Barth syndrome, not a general mitochondrial wellness peptide.
- Elamipretide binds cardiolipin and is intended to stabilize inner mitochondrial membrane function, support electron-transport efficiency, and reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress in the disease context studied.
- The mechanism centers on mitochondrial inner-membrane/cardiolipin stabilization and improved electron transport efficiency under stress. It does not simply increase energy for everyone.