What is SS-31 (Elamipretide)?

SS-31, also called Elamipretide or MTP-131, is a cell-permeable peptide that targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is studied for its proposed role in supporting mitochondrial function and structure.

What does research suggest about SS-31?

Preclinical animal and laboratory studies have reported protective mitochondrial effects, and SS-31 has been investigated in controlled human clinical trials for mitochondrial and cardiac-related conditions. Human results have been mixed, and much of the strongest evidence remains preclinical.

Is SS-31 approved by regulators?

No. SS-31 (Elamipretide) is investigational and has been studied in clinical trials but is not an approved general-use medicine. Its regulatory status may vary by jurisdiction and program.

As an investigational compound, its safety profile in humans is still being characterized. Injection-site reactions have been reported in trials, and long-term effects are not fully established. Research-market material is not the same as the studied clinical product.

What are the reported side effects of SS-31?

Injection-site reactions have been reported in clinical trials. Because it is investigational, its complete side-effect and long-term safety profile remains incompletely understood.

What is the legal status of SS-31?

SS-31 is an investigational research compound rather than an approved medicine, and its legal and regulatory status varies by country. It is not authorized for general therapeutic use.

Why does SS-31 appear under so many different names?

The same molecule has been referred to as SS-31 (its Szeto-Schiller research designation), elamipretide (its assigned drug name), MTP-131, and the development codename Bendavia. Seeing several names attached to one peptide is normal for a compound that moved from academic labs into formal clinical development, and it can make the literature confusing to search.

How is SS-31 different from other 'mitochondrial' peptides like humanin or MOTS-c?

They are grouped together because all relate to mitochondria, but they are structurally and functionally distinct. Humanin and MOTS-c are mitochondrial-derived peptides encoded within mitochondrial DNA that act as signalling molecules, whereas SS-31 is a synthetic peptide designed to physically localise to the inner mitochondrial membrane and interact with cardiolipin. Grouping by category does not mean interchangeable mechanisms or evidence.

Why has SS-31 been studied across such different diseases, and does a trial 'miss' mean it does nothing?

Because mitochondrial dysfunction is a shared thread across heart disease, rare genetic conditions, and some eye disorders, a mitochondria-targeting compound was tested broadly. A trial not meeting its primary endpoint is an honest, informative result, not proof the mechanism is meaningless; it means that specific benefit was not demonstrated in that population under that design. Interpreting mixed results as either total success or total failure is a common misconception.

Where can I buy SS-31 (Elamipretide) and compare vendors?

Use the vendor comparison on this page. It shows only checked, product-specific links and identifies vendor claims, independent documentation and affiliate relationships separately. Availability and legal status can vary by country.

Mitochondrial

Buy SS-31 (Elamipretide) – Vendors, Prices, Testing and Evidence

Buy SS-31 (Elamipretide)

Also known as: Elamipretide · MTP-131

Evidence grade B — Human, limited

Short answer

A mitochondria-targeting peptide studied in clinical trials for mitochondrial disease.

Where can you buy SS-31 (Elamipretide)?

Crystal Peptides. The table lists only product-specific offers that were checked and for which a real destination exists. Missing prices, quantities, stock and laboratory details are not inferred.

What is known?

SS-31 is a cell-permeable peptide that targets cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes.

What is not established?

Studied in controlled clinical trials with mixed results; not approved.

Safety

Investigational; research-market material is not the studied clinical product.

Regulatory status

Investigational; studied in clinical trials. Not an approved general-use medicine.

Not medical advice. This educational reference is not diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, dosing or emergency guidance. Consult a qualified professional before making health-related decisions.

Vendor comparison

Buy SS-31 (Elamipretide): compare vendors

The table lists only product-specific offers that were checked and for which a real destination exists. Missing prices, quantities, stock and laboratory details are not inferred.

Vendor	Product	Documentation	Shipping	Checked	Action
Crystal Peptides Code PEPTIDES10 −10% · discount code details Sponsored	SS-31 (Elamipretide) research product	Vendor-supplied data COA stated as available Not independently documented	Europe See the localized country store	Jul 18, 2026	View at vendor

Crystal Peptides

SS-31 (Elamipretide) research product

Code PEPTIDES10 −10% · discount code details

What is it?

SS-31 is a cell-permeable peptide that targets cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes.

Research and evidence

SS-31, also known as Elamipretide or MTP-131, is a cell-permeable, mitochondria-targeting peptide studied primarily for its role in supporting mitochondrial function. It belongs to a class of small aromatic-cationic peptides that concentrate in the inner mitochondrial membrane. There, its proposed mechanism centers on binding and stabilizing cardiolipin, a phospholipid essential to the structure and efficiency of the electron transport chain. By associating with cardiolipin, SS-31 is thought to help preserve mitochondrial cristae architecture and support cellular energy production, which is why it has attracted interest in the study of conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

SS-31 is researched because mitochondria sit at the center of cellular energy metabolism, and their decline is implicated in a wide range of age-related and disease processes. In laboratory and animal studies, the peptide has been reported to produce protective mitochondrial effects, and it advanced into controlled human clinical trials investigating mitochondrial and cardiac-related conditions. It is important to be evidence-honest here: the human trial results have been mixed, and SS-31 has not been approved as a general-use medicine. Much of the most striking data comes from preclinical (animal and in-vitro) models, which do not always translate into demonstrated benefit in people. SS-31 remains an investigational compound under active scientific study rather than an established therapy.

Because SS-31 is investigational, its safety profile in humans is still being characterized. In clinical trials, injection-site reactions have been among the reported side effects, and long-term outcomes remain incompletely understood. A further important distinction is that material sold on the research-chemical market is not the same as the studied clinical product; purity, identity, and formulation are not guaranteed outside of a regulated trial setting. This page is an educational reference summarizing the current evidence picture for SS-31 and is not medical advice. Anyone considering questions about mitochondrial health should consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Evidence grade: B

Studied in controlled clinical trials with mixed results; not approved. Protective mitochondrial effects reported.

Human evidence

Studied in controlled clinical trials with mixed results; not approved.

Animal and preclinical evidence

Protective mitochondrial effects reported.

Proposed mechanisms

Stabilises cardiolipin, supporting mitochondrial function

Safety concerns and known side effects

Investigational; research-market material is not the studied clinical product.

Injection-site reactions reported in trials

Regulatory status

Investigational; studied in clinical trials. Not an approved general-use medicine.

SS-31 (Elamipretide) research timeline

Early 2000s
SS-31 emerged from the Szeto-Schiller family of aromatic-cationic peptides, first described by academic researchers as small cell-permeable molecules that concentrate in mitochondria.
2000s
Preclinical work characterised its interaction with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and reported cytoprotective effects in cell and animal models of oxidative and ischemic stress.
Early 2010s
A biotech developer advanced the compound into human trials under the names elamipretide, MTP-131 and Bendavia, studying it in cardiac and mitochondrial conditions.
Mid 2010s
A trial in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (heart attack setting) did not meet its primary endpoints, tempering early cardiovascular expectations.
Late 2010s to early 2020s
A phase 3 study in primary mitochondrial myopathy did not meet its primary endpoints; parallel investigation continued in rare conditions such as Barth syndrome and certain eye diseases with mixed results.
Early-to-mid 2020s
The compound remained investigational, with regulatory review focused on narrow rare-disease indications and no general-use approval in place.

Frequently asked questions about SS-31 (Elamipretide)

What is SS-31 (Elamipretide)?: SS-31, also called Elamipretide or MTP-131, is a cell-permeable peptide that targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is studied for its proposed role in supporting mitochondrial function and structure.
What does research suggest about SS-31?: Preclinical animal and laboratory studies have reported protective mitochondrial effects, and SS-31 has been investigated in controlled human clinical trials for mitochondrial and cardiac-related conditions. Human results have been mixed, and much of the strongest evidence remains preclinical.
Is SS-31 approved by regulators?: No. SS-31 (Elamipretide) is investigational and has been studied in clinical trials but is not an approved general-use medicine. Its regulatory status may vary by jurisdiction and program.
Is SS-31 safe?: As an investigational compound, its safety profile in humans is still being characterized. Injection-site reactions have been reported in trials, and long-term effects are not fully established. Research-market material is not the same as the studied clinical product.
What are the reported side effects of SS-31?: Injection-site reactions have been reported in clinical trials. Because it is investigational, its complete side-effect and long-term safety profile remains incompletely understood.
What is the legal status of SS-31?: SS-31 is an investigational research compound rather than an approved medicine, and its legal and regulatory status varies by country. It is not authorized for general therapeutic use.
Why does SS-31 appear under so many different names?: The same molecule has been referred to as SS-31 (its Szeto-Schiller research designation), elamipretide (its assigned drug name), MTP-131, and the development codename Bendavia. Seeing several names attached to one peptide is normal for a compound that moved from academic labs into formal clinical development, and it can make the literature confusing to search.
How is SS-31 different from other 'mitochondrial' peptides like humanin or MOTS-c?: They are grouped together because all relate to mitochondria, but they are structurally and functionally distinct. Humanin and MOTS-c are mitochondrial-derived peptides encoded within mitochondrial DNA that act as signalling molecules, whereas SS-31 is a synthetic peptide designed to physically localise to the inner mitochondrial membrane and interact with cardiolipin. Grouping by category does not mean interchangeable mechanisms or evidence.
Why has SS-31 been studied across such different diseases, and does a trial 'miss' mean it does nothing?: Because mitochondrial dysfunction is a shared thread across heart disease, rare genetic conditions, and some eye disorders, a mitochondria-targeting compound was tested broadly. A trial not meeting its primary endpoint is an honest, informative result, not proof the mechanism is meaningless; it means that specific benefit was not demonstrated in that population under that design. Interpreting mixed results as either total success or total failure is a common misconception.
Where can I buy SS-31 (Elamipretide) and compare vendors?: Use the vendor comparison on this page. It shows only checked, product-specific links and identifies vendor claims, independent documentation and affiliate relationships separately. Availability and legal status can vary by country.

Common discussion areas

MitochondriaEnergy

Compare SS-31 (Elamipretide)

SS-31 (Elamipretide) vs MOTS-c

Sources

Editorial review and transparency

Written by: peptides.cx Editorial Team
Scientific reviewer: No named medical reviewer is currently assigned
Last editorial review: June 1, 2026
Last vendor check: July 18, 2026
Review method: Source review, claim verification, vendor-data separation and regulatory-context review.
Commercial disclosure and conflicts: Vendor relationships do not determine evidence or safety ratings. No named reviewer conflict is recorded because no named reviewer is assigned.

Editorial policy →Evidence grade →Vendor methodology →

Related on peptides.cx

Library →Vendor quality checklist →Safety →Affiliate code: PEPTIDES10