Primary entity: SS-31 (research code) / elamipretide (INN-style development name) · Also known as: Bendavia (historical development name); MTP-131; SS31 · Class: Investigational mitochondria-targeting peptide — not FDA-approved as a consumer longevity or performance drug · Cluster: Specialty peptides
SS-31 is a research-code name commonly used for a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide developed as elamipretide (historically also discussed as Bendavia / MTP-131). In the U.S., elamipretide is FDA-approved under the brand Forzinity, with accelerated approval to improve muscle strength in adult and pediatric patients with Barth syndrome weighing at least 30 kg. That is not a general anti-aging or consumer longevity approval. RUO vials labeled “SS-31” are not the approved Forzinity product.
Mitochondrial mechanism stories travel faster online than regulatory outcomes. Pipeline interest is not a license for DIY protocols.
Elamipretide is FDA-approved as Forzinity for a specific Barth syndrome indication under accelerated approval — not as a general anti-aging drug. Gray-market “SS-31 research peptide” ≠ clinical trial material.
Key takeaways
- SS-31 ≈ research code widely tied to elamipretide (mitochondria-targeting peptide).
- Framing on this site: investigational — not an approved consumer longevity injectable.
- Mechanism literacy centers on mitochondrial membranes / cardiolipin-associated research narratives — hedged.
- Distinct from MOTS-c (different mitochondrial-peptide story).
- No dosage chart; no buy CTAs.
Questions this page answers
- What SS-31 / elamipretide is
- Aliases and naming
- Classification
- What it is NOT
- Mechanism literacy
- Evidence ladder
- What has been studied
- Safety literacy
- Regulatory snapshot
- Why no dosages
- Related compounds
- Who for / not for
Who is this profile for — and who is it not for?
For: readers who see “SS-31” in longevity forums and need investigational + naming literacy (elamipretide) without hype.
Not for: anyone seeking buy links, “mito peptide cycles,” or medical advice for heart, eye, or aging conditions.
What is SS-31?
SS-31 refers to a small aromatic-cationic peptide designed to associate with mitochondrial membranes, often described in research summaries as interacting with cardiolipin-rich inner-membrane environments and influencing bioenergetic / oxidative-stress readouts in models. The clinical development name elamipretide is the literacy bridge for serious readers; forum “SS-31” shorthand is how specialty search volume arrives.
See also: What are peptides? · MOTS-c for a different mitochondrial-peptide entity.
Quick facts
| Research code | SS-31 / SS31 |
| Development / INN-style name | Elamipretide |
| Historical names | Bendavia; MTP-131 (verify synonym mapping) |
| Typical research framing | Mitochondrial targeting / bioenergetics |
| U.S. consumer longevity approval | Not framed here as approved anti-aging drug |
| RUO vials | ≠ regulated clinical supply |
Also known as
- SS-31 / SS31 — research-code dominant in forums.
- Elamipretide — development / nonproprietary-style name to prefer in evidence discussions.
- Bendavia / MTP-131 — historical development synonyms appearing in older literature.
- Mis-tags: equating SS-31 with MOTS-c, humanin, or other “mito peptides” as if interchangeable.
Mitochondrial origin or marketing adjacency does not make MOTS-c, humanin, or SS-31 the same drug substance.
How is SS-31 classified?
Investigational specialty peptide — educational profile under specialty-peptides. Not classified as an FDA-approved longevity or sports-performance medicine on this site.
What is SS-31 not?
| SS-31 / elamipretide is not… | Why that matters |
|---|---|
| Proven OTC longevity injectable | Investigational framing |
| The same as MOTS-c | Different entity |
| Guaranteed identical in RUO vials vs trial material | Supply-chain literacy |
| Something we dose or source | Refusal |
How is it thought to work?
Research narratives emphasize mitochondrial inner-membrane association, cardiolipin-related stabilization stories, and downstream effects on energetics and reactive oxygen species in experimental systems. Those mechanistic sketches explain specialty interest — they do not establish approved clinical benefit for DIY aging or performance use.
What human vs animal vs label evidence exists?
| Evidence type | What exists (summary) | Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical development (elamipretide) | Human trials in mitochondrial / organ-specific programs — outcomes and status must be verified per indication | [Human] program-dependent — |
| Approved U.S. longevity/performance label | Not claimed on this educational page | [None] for that framing |
| Preclinical mito models | Cell/animal bioenergetic literature | [Cell] / [Animal] |
| Forum longevity logs | Anecdote | [None] |
What has been studied?
Public development discussion has involved primary mitochondrial disease contexts, cardio-renal, and ocular / geographic atrophy–adjacent research themes among others — exact indications and results change over time. Studied ≠ available as a consumer peptide therapy we endorse.
Safety literacy
Investigational agents have trial-context adverse-event profiles that are not the same as gray-market self-experimentation risk (identity, sterility, dose accuracy unknown). Do not treat forum “mito detox” language as safety data. Personal medical questions → licensed clinician. Are peptides safe?.
Regulatory snapshot
- U.S.: Confirm on fda.gov / DailyMed whether any elamipretide product/indication is approved at publish time — default educational stance until verified: investigational.
- RUO “SS-31”: Not clinical supply; not a substitute for trial enrollment or approved care.
- Sport: Check current WADA/GlobalDRO if relevant.
Why no dosage chart?
No consumer approved longevity dose for us to republish; trial regimens are not DIY charts; “SS-31 dosage” queries are protocol-seeking. Literacy refusal. Calculator literacy only: peptide calculator.
Related compounds
- MOTS-c — different mitochondrial-peptide entity
- Metabolic approved peptides (context only): semaglutide — unrelated mechanism
- Research peptides · Disclaimers
Frequently asked questions
What is SS-31?
A research-code name commonly used for a mitochondria-targeting peptide developed as elamipretide — discussed as investigational, not as an approved consumer longevity drug on this site.
Is SS-31 the same as elamipretide?
In educational shorthand, SS-31 is widely treated as the research code for elamipretide (with historical synonyms like Bendavia). Always confirm chemistry on a COA/label rather than trusting a nickname alone.
Is SS-31 FDA approved?
Do not assume yes from forum posts. Default framing here is investigational until an editor verifies a specific approved product/indication.
Is SS-31 the same as MOTS-c?
No. Both appear in “mitochondrial peptide” conversations but are different entities.
Why no SS-31 dosage?
Unapproved/investigational consumer framing + YMYL harm reduction. We don’t publish protocols.
Are RUO SS-31 vials the same as clinical trial drug?
No. Manufacturing, oversight, and identity guarantees differ.
Sources
- Label U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Forzinity (elamipretide) injection prescribing information. Label revision December 10, 2025 (setid 146bf34c-76f2-48db-ac07-fb29cce2cd75). Accessed November 10, 2026.
- Regulatory U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to First Treatment for Barth Syndrome. September 19, 2025. Accessed November 10, 2026.
- Review — approval Shirley M. Elamipretide: First Approval. Drugs. 2026;86(3):377-383. doi:10.1007/s40265-025-02269-8. PMID: 41335372.
- Primary — mechanism Szeto HH. First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. Br J Pharmacol. 2014;171(8):2029-2050. doi:10.1111/bph.12461. PMID: 24117165.
- Internal Peptide Tutorials. MOTS-c; Research peptides; Disclaimers. Approved Forzinity is not interchangeable with RUO “SS-31” vials.
Educational investigational-peptide literacy only. Not medical advice, not a longevity recommendation, and not a dosing guide. We don’t sell peptides. Full disclaimers.