SS-31

SS-31 (10mg) — Cardiolipin-Targeting Mitochondrial Research Peptide

Omega Peptides Australia supplies SS-31 (10mg) in Australia from domestic stock, dispatching same day on orders placed before 12pm with a certificate of analysis published for every batch. Often written SS31, SS 31, elamipretide, Bendavia or MTP-131, it is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide studied for cardiolipin binding and electron-transport efficiency.

SS-31 is a synthetic tetrapeptide from the Szeto-Schiller family of mitochondria-targeted peptides, first described in the early 2000s by pharmacologists Hazel Szeto and Peter Schiller. Its sequence is D-arginine, 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine, lysine and phenylalanine with an amidated C-terminus, usually written D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2. The alternating pattern of positively charged and aromatic residues lets it cross cell membranes and accumulate many hundred-fold in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is better known in clinical literature as elamipretide, was developed under the codes MTP-131 and Bendavia, and is written online as SS31, SS-31 peptide or SS 31.

SS-31 is studied for the protection of mitochondrial structure and function in models of heart failure, skeletal muscle weakness and ageing, in genetic mitochondrial disease, and in ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the heart, kidney and brain. Its mechanism is unusual for a peptide: rather than binding a receptor, it binds cardiolipin, the signature phospholipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilising the cristae and the respiratory chain complexes that depend on it and reducing the leak of reactive oxygen species.

Omega Peptides Australia supplies SS-31 as a high-purity (≥99% HPLC), COA-verified lyophilised powder in a 10mg research vial. Orders placed before 12pm are dispatched the same day from within Australia, and the certificate for every batch is published in our COA library.

Key research areas

• Genetic mitochondrial disease. Elamipretide has been studied in clinical programs for primary mitochondrial myopathy and for Barth syndrome, an inherited disorder of cardiolipin remodelling. In September 2025 the US FDA granted accelerated approval to elamipretide for Barth syndrome, the first therapy for that ultra-rare condition, which makes SS-31 one of the few research peptides with a direct clinical counterpart.
• Heart failure and cardiac energetics. Rodent and large-animal models of heart failure have examined whether SS-31 restores mitochondrial ATP production, reduces oxidative damage and improves contractile function in failing myocardium, with clinical studies following in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
• Ischaemia-reperfusion injury. When blood flow returns to ischaemic tissue, mitochondria release a burst of reactive oxygen species. SS-31 has been studied in models of myocardial infarction, stroke and acute kidney injury for its ability to limit that burst and preserve mitochondrial membrane integrity.
• Skeletal muscle and ageing. Aged mouse muscle shows reduced mitochondrial coupling and increased hydrogen peroxide release. Studies examined whether SS-31 improved energetics, fatigue resistance and exercise tolerance in old animals, supporting its use in sarcopenia and frailty models.
• Retinal and ocular disease. Because photoreceptors are among the most mitochondria-dense cells in the body, elamipretide has been evaluated in clinical studies of dry age-related macular degeneration and in preclinical models of optic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy.
• Kidney disease. Renal tubular cells rely heavily on oxidative phosphorylation. Preclinical work has examined SS-31 in acute kidney injury, hypertensive kidney damage and diabetic nephropathy, measuring mitochondrial swelling, cristae structure and tubular recovery.

SS-31 in Australia

SS-31 is supplied in Australia strictly as a research-grade lyophilised vial; it is not a registered medicine and is not available through Chemist Warehouse, Priceline or compounding pharmacies. Omega Peptides Australia holds it in domestic stock, dispatches same day on orders before 12pm, and ships on tracked delivery within Australia, so there is no international transit or customs hold. Each batch carries an independent certificate in the COA library matched to the number printed on the vial.

SS-31 is stocked in Australia as a 10mg vial. It is commonly paired with MOTS-C and NAD+ in mitochondrial designs, both held domestically.

How SS-31 works

Cardiolipin is a four-tailed phospholipid found almost exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it holds the respiratory chain complexes together in supercomplexes, anchors cytochrome c and shapes the folds of the cristae. In stressed or aged mitochondria cardiolipin is oxidised and lost, cytochrome c changes into a peroxidase that oxidises even more cardiolipin, and the electron transport chain becomes leaky and inefficient. SS-31 binds cardiolipin through electrostatic attraction between its two positive charges and the phospholipid head groups, and through insertion of its aromatic side chains into the membrane. This binding restrains the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c, restores the ordered structure of the membrane and improves the efficiency of electron flow.

The result in experimental systems is higher ATP output for the same oxygen consumption, less superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production, and preservation of cristae architecture. SS-31 is not a conventional free-radical scavenger; it prevents the generation of oxidants at the source. Like most small unmodified peptides it has a short circulating half-life and is cleared quickly, so research protocols rely on repeated exposure. It is often paired with MOTS-c, which acts through metabolic signalling rather than membrane stabilisation, and with NAD+, which supplies the electron carrier the respiratory chain depends on.

Specifications

Available sizes and pricing

SS-31 is supplied in a single 10mg research vial. Because the peptide is active in cell culture at low micromolar concentrations, 10mg covers a substantial series of in-vitro experiments, and multiple vials from the same batch can be ordered for larger programs so that the material is consistent throughout.

• 10mg vial — $79.99 (about $8.00 per mg)

Quality and COA verification

Every batch of SS-31 is independently tested by Janoshik Analytical. HPLC confirms purity of 99 percent or higher, and mass spectrometry confirms that the measured mass matches the expected 639.8 g/mol of the D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 sequence, which is important for a peptide that contains the non-standard residue dimethyltyrosine. A Certificate of Analysis is issued for every batch and published in our COA library, where the batch number on the vial can be matched to its report. The peptide is filled into sterile vials, sealed and lyophilised so that the dry powder resists hydrolysis and oxidation. Orders are packed to protect the vial during domestic transit and shipped from Australian stock so that time in transit is short.

Frequently bought together

• Bacteriostatic Water (10mL) — $29.99, the standard diluent for reconstituting lyophilised peptides.
• MOTS-C (10mg) — $99.99, a mitochondrial-derived signalling peptide studied alongside SS-31.
• NAD+ (500mg) — $139.99, the electron carrier at the centre of mitochondrial redox research.
• Epitalon (10mg) — $79.99, a tetrapeptide studied in ageing and telomerase models.

Research guides

• Peptide storage guide
• COA testing explained
• Peptide reconstitution calculator
• Ordering and shipping FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is SS-31?
SS-31 is a synthetic four-residue peptide, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin. It is studied in research models of heart failure, mitochondrial myopathy, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, kidney disease and ageing. Its clinical counterpart is elamipretide. Omega Peptides Australia supplies SS-31 as a lyophilised research peptide in a 10mg vial for in-vitro laboratory use only.

What is SS-31 also known as?
SS-31 stands for Szeto-Schiller peptide 31, after the two scientists who designed the series. In clinical development it is called elamipretide and was earlier coded MTP-131 and Bendavia; the approved US product is marketed as Forzinity. Online it is written as SS31, SS 31 or SS-31 peptide, and chemically it is D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2. All of these names refer to the same tetrapeptide.

How does SS-31 work?
SS-31 crosses cell membranes and accumulates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where its positive charges and aromatic side chains bind cardiolipin. This stabilises the folded cristae and the respiratory supercomplexes, prevents cytochrome c from acting as a cardiolipin peroxidase and reduces the leak of electrons that generates reactive oxygen species. The outcome in experimental systems is more efficient ATP production with less oxidative damage.

What does the research show about SS-31?
Preclinical models have reported preserved mitochondrial structure, improved ATP production and reduced oxidative injury in heart, kidney, muscle and retina. Clinical programs with elamipretide examined primary mitochondrial myopathy, heart failure and dry macular degeneration with mixed results, while the Barth syndrome program led to FDA accelerated approval in September 2025. Research continues into ageing muscle, ischaemia-reperfusion and neurodegenerative models.

Can I buy SS-31 at Chemist Warehouse or a pharmacy in Australia?
No. SS-31 is not a registered medicine in Australia and does not appear on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, so Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and other retail pharmacies do not stock it. Elamipretide holds an accelerated approval in the United States for Barth syndrome only and is not available through Australian pharmacies. Omega Peptides Australia supplies SS-31 only as a research-grade lyophilised compound for in-vitro laboratory work.

Can Australian compounding pharmacies supply SS-31?
Australian compounding pharmacies may prepare a medicine only for an individual patient on a prescription from a registered practitioner, and the TGA has warned about the uncertainties of compounded unapproved peptide products. SS-31 is not an approved ingredient in Australia and is not a routine compounded product. Research suppliers such as Omega Peptides Australia supply the lyophilised research compound for laboratory use, which is separate from any pharmacy pathway.

How do you reconstitute SS-31?
Add bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial so it runs gently onto the powder, then swirl until the solution is clear. Do not shake. SS-31 is water soluble and dissolves readily. The reconstitution calculator gives the volume for a chosen concentration. Refrigerate the reconstituted vial at 2–8°C and use it within 28 days.

How should SS-31 be stored?
Store the sealed lyophilised powder at 2–8°C for short-term use or at −20°C for long-term storage, protected from light and moisture, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The dimethyltyrosine residue is sensitive to oxidation, so keep time in solution to a minimum. After reconstitution, refrigerate the solution at 2–8°C and use it within 28 days.

Where can I buy SS-31 in Australia?
Omega Peptides Australia holds SS-31 in domestic stock and dispatches orders placed before 12pm on the same business day. Every batch is COA-verified by an independent laboratory and the certificates are published online. Order the 10mg vial from this page, or browse the full range of research peptides in Australia for related mitochondrial research compounds.

What does SS-31 cost in Australia?
Research-grade SS-31 from Omega Peptides Australia costs $79.99 for a 10mg vial, which is about $8.00 per mg. Because SS-31 is used at low micromolar concentrations in cell-culture work, one vial covers an extended series of experiments. Bacteriostatic water for reconstitution is sold separately in 3mL and 10mL sizes.

How do I get SS-31 online in Australia?
Add the 10mg vial to your cart on this product page and complete checkout. Orders are shipped with tracked domestic delivery in discreet, unbranded packaging. Orders placed before 12pm are dispatched the same business day from within Australia, and a tracking number is emailed once the parcel is lodged with the carrier.

Is SS-31 legal in Australia?
Omega Peptides Australia supplies SS-31 strictly for lawful in-vitro laboratory research. It is not approved by the TGA for human or veterinary use and is not sold as a medicine or supplement. Purchasers are responsible for ensuring their intended use complies with all applicable laws.

How does SS-31 differ from MOTS-c?
Both are mitochondrial research peptides but they act at different levels. SS-31 is a synthetic tetrapeptide that physically binds cardiolipin in the inner membrane, protecting the respiratory chain and limiting oxidant production. MOTS-c is a 16-residue peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA that acts as a signalling molecule, activating AMPK and regulating nuclear gene expression. Laboratories often study the two together to separate structural protection from metabolic signalling.

Is SS-31 available in Australia?
Yes, as a research-grade lyophilised peptide from domestic suppliers. Omega Peptides Australia holds SS-31 10mg in Australian stock, COA verified, with same-day dispatch before 12pm.

Where can I buy SS31 in Australia?
From an Australian research peptide supplier with domestic stock. Omega Peptides Australia ships SS-31 from within Australia on tracked delivery.

⚠ For in-vitro research and laboratory use only. Not for human or veterinary use.