ACE-031
ACE-031 (Ramatercept)
A myostatin trap built from its own receptor
A soluble decoy version of the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). ACE-031 acts as a trap — it circulates and binds myostatin and related growth-limiting ligands before they can reach muscle, removing the brake on growth. It reached human trials for muscular dystrophy but was discontinued over vascular safety signals, so it remains research-only.
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection
- Typical dose
- Research-only (no established dose)
- Availability
- Research-only
Key Benefits
Traps myostatin and multiple growth-limiting ligands at once
Potentially larger effect than myostatin-only blockade
Reached human trials for muscle-wasting conditions
Distinct mechanism from GH/IGF peptides
Mechanism of Action
How ACE-031 works
ACE-031 is a soluble decoy receptor that sequesters growth inhibitors:
- ActRIIB decoy — a soluble form of the activin receptor IIB that binds myostatin and activin in circulation before they reach the real receptor on muscle.
- Broad ligand trapping — by mopping up multiple TGF-beta-family inhibitors at once, it can produce a larger effect than blocking myostatin alone.
- De-repressed muscle growth — with these inhibitors neutralized, muscle protein synthesis and fiber growth face less restraint.
- Safety ceiling — human trials were stopped after vascular/bleeding signals (nosebleeds, gum bleeding, telangiectasias), reflecting ActRIIB's role beyond muscle. This is why it stayed research-only.
Your Genetics & ACE-031
Genetic variants that affect your response
These SNPs determine how effectively ACE-031 works for you specifically. A genetic peptide report identifies your variants before you start.
The K153R variant alters myostatin activity. Baseline myostatin tone sets how much brake ACE-031 has to release — higher-myostatin individuals have more to gain from trapping it.
The R577X variant sets fast-twitch fiber makeup and the hypertrophy ceiling, shaping how much a myostatin-trapping agent translates into visible muscle.
IGF-1 promoter variants set the anabolic signal that builds muscle once growth inhibitors are removed, amplifying or limiting the net effect.
The FokI variant influences muscle strength and mass, part of the muscular background on which a myostatin-trap acts.
Which variants do you carry?
Upload your DNA data or order a kit to find out.
Evidence & Research
15+
Published studies
Animal studies and in vitro data with promising but limited clinical validation
Sourcing & access
Where to buy ACE-031
ACE-031 is sold as a research compound, not a licensed medicine, so quality and legal status vary widely by country and vendor. If you're sourcing it, treat independent purity testing as non-negotiable.
- Insist on a recent third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the exact batch — labs like Janoshik verify purity and identity.
- Check the legal status where you live before ordering — it differs from country to country.
- Reconstitute correctly with bacteriostatic water and start at a conservative dose.
Swiss Chems is a US research-chemical supplier that publishes third-party Certificates of Analysis. Sold for research use only — check your local laws.
Before you buy: see whether your DNA actually responds to ACE-031, and at what dose. Analyze my DNA — $99 →
Educational information only, not medical advice. Some outbound links are affiliate links (disclosed, at no extra cost to you), and providers we partner with are listed first. Most peptides are not FDA-approved — consult a qualified professional and check your local laws before purchasing.
Common Stacks
ACE-031 is commonly combined with:
Follistatin-344
Myostatin StackEmerging EvidenceFollistatin-344 (FST-344)
A naturally occurring protein that binds and neutralizes myostatin and activin — the body's built-in limiters on muscle growth. By sequestering myostatin, Follistatin-344 removes a key brake on hypertrophy, which is why it's one of the most discussed (and still early-stage) research peptides for muscle and recovery.
4
Gene variants
20+
Studies
IGF-1
Muscle StackModerate EvidenceInsulin-like Growth Factor-1
The primary anabolic mediator of growth hormone. Most of GH's effects on muscle, tissue repair and growth are actually carried out by IGF-1, produced mainly in the liver. Native IGF-1 is short-acting and tightly regulated by binding proteins — making the IGF axis one of the most genetically variable in the body.
4
Gene variants
45+
Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
How is ACE-031 different from Follistatin-344?
Both reduce myostatin signaling but in different ways. Follistatin-344 binds the myostatin ligand directly. ACE-031 is a decoy version of the myostatin receptor (ActRIIB) that traps myostatin and related ligands before they reach muscle. ACE-031 traps a broader set of inhibitors, which is also why its safety profile is more complex.
Why was ACE-031 discontinued?
Human trials for muscular dystrophy were halted after vascular safety signals — nosebleeds, gum bleeding and small dilated blood vessels — likely reflecting ActRIIB's roles outside muscle. It never reached approval and remains a research compound, which is essential context.
Does genetics affect ACE-031 response?
Yes. MSTN tone sets how much myostatin brake there is to release, ACTN3 fiber type shapes the hypertrophy ceiling, IGF1 sets the anabolic background, and VDR influences muscle response. A genetic peptide report profiles these — alongside the unresolved safety considerations.
Learn More About ACE-031
Your next move
Two ways forward with ACE-031.
Not sure it's for you?
Will ACE-031 work for your genes — and at what dose?
Your report scores ACE-031 against your receptor, CYP and pathway variants — likely responder, non-responder, and a sensible starting dose — in minutes.
Analyze my DNA — $99Already decided?
Get ACE-031 from Swiss Chems.
A US research-chemical supplier with third-party Certificates of Analysis. Sold for research use only — check your local laws before ordering.
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