Growth ⏱ Half-life: Approximately 10-15 days due to Fc fusion technology. Discontinued

ACE-031

ACE-031 (Soluble Activin Receptor Type IIB)

Updated March 15, 2026

Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusDiscontinued
ActRIIB-Fc myostatin trap; Phase 2 in Duchenne halted 2011 for vascular safety, development discontinued 2013.
Human evidenceLimited
Animal evidenceModerate

A Phase 2 Duchenne trial showed dose-dependent gains in lean mass but was stopped for nosebleeds and telangiectasias, and the program was discontinued.

What the research does not support

  • It is not an approved or actively developed drug; its clinical program was terminated over vascular bleeding side effects.
  • It does not selectively block only myostatin; off-target inhibition of related ligands drove the bleeding adverse events.
  • Its muscle-mass gains in trials were not shown to translate into durable functional or safety benefit.
Half-Life
Approximately 10-15 days due to Fc fusion technology.
Mol. Weight
~90,000 g/mol (fusion protein)

What is ACE-031?

ACE-031 represents a fundamentally different approach to myostatin inhibition — rather than blocking the ligand directly, it acts as a circulating trap that captures myostatin and related growth-limiting molecules before they can reach muscle tissue receptors.

Research Applications

Myostatin trap research, muscle wasting conditions, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and lean mass augmentation studies.

Dosage Information (Research Use)

Clinical trial doses: 0.5-3 mg/kg subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Research use only.

Reconstitution & Handling

Reconstitute carefully with sterile water. Protein is sensitive to shaking.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

Approximately 10-15 days due to Fc fusion technology.

Reported Observations in Literature

Clinical trials reported minor epistaxis (nosebleeds) and gingival bleeding, leading to study pause. Muscle efficacy was confirmed.

Key Research References

  • Attie KM, et al. “A single ascending-dose study of muscle regulator ACE-031 in healthy volunteers.” Muscle Nerve. 2013

How ACE-031 Works

ACE-031 is a soluble form of the activin receptor type IIB fused to an IgG Fc domain. It acts as a decoy receptor, binding myostatin and activin in the bloodstream before they can signal muscle growth suppression. This creates a powerful pro-hypertrophy environment.

Research Findings

Showed significant lean mass increases in Phase II clinical trials for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Development paused due to minor nosebleed and gum bleeding events, though muscle-building efficacy was confirmed.

Dosage & Administration

Clinical trial doses: 0.5-3 mg/kg subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Research use only.

Safety & Side Effects

Clinical trials reported minor epistaxis (nosebleeds) and gingival bleeding, leading to study pause. Muscle efficacy was confirmed.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Sequence ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein
Molecular Weight ~90,000 g/mol (fusion protein)
Half-Life Approximately 10-15 days due to Fc fusion technology.
Available Sizes 1mg
Storage Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 7 days.

Key Research References

  • Attie KM, et al. "A single ascending-dose study of muscle regulator ACE-031 in healthy volunteers." Muscle Nerve. 2013

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