SS-31 (elamipretide) is the mitochondrial peptide that earned FDA approval in September 2025 — but only for Barth syndrome. For general research use, it's still only available from specialty peptide vendors, where pricing varies from $3/mg to $13/mg for essentially the same 639.8 Da molecule. The spread is huge, and it's entirely driven by vendor markup and vial size choice.
This guide covers what you should pay per milligram, which vial size fits a standard 500 mcg/day protocol, and how to verify a COA for this uniquely-structured tetrapeptide. SS-31 contains 2,6-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) — an unusual modification that a legitimate vendor's mass spec will confirm.
This is not a ranked vendor list — for that, see our Best SS-31 Vendors comparison. This guide teaches you how to evaluate any vendor yourself.
Understanding SS-31 Pricing
SS-31 is sold as a lyophilized powder in sealed glass vials. Because it's a small tetrapeptide, synthesis is relatively cheap — but demand is high and many vendors charge accordingly. The three factors that move price: vial size, manufacturer sourcing, and whether the vendor pays for third-party testing.
Current Market Pricing (2026)
| Vial Size | Typical Price Range | Price Per mg | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | $60-65 | $12-13/mg | Tolerance testing only |
| 10 mg | $45-120 | $4.50-12/mg | Standard 500 mcg/day — most popular |
| 30 mg | $150-200 | $5-6.67/mg | Mid-length protocols, better value |
| 50 mg | $150-200 | $3-4/mg | Best $/mg — long protocols |
The pattern is clear: the 50mg vial costs roughly $3/mg — less than a quarter of the 5mg vial's price. But you need to commit to a reconstitution strategy that respects the 28-day stability window.
Cheapest single-vial option: Ascension Peptides's 50% off drops the 10mg vial to $37.50 ($3.75/mg effective) — the lowest effective price we track for buying one vial. Get the code →
Cost Per Week at Common Doses
| Weekly Dose | Monthly Cost (10mg vial) | Monthly Cost (50mg vial) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75 mg/week (250 mcg/day) | $24-63/month | $11-21/month | ~65% |
| 3.5 mg/week (500 mcg/day) | $47-126/month | $21-42/month | ~65% |
| 5 mg/week (5-on/2-off, 1mg/day) | $68-180/month | $30-60/month | ~65% |
For current vendor-specific pricing with exact $/mg breakdowns, see our Best SS-31 Vendors comparison.
How to Verify SS-31 Quality
SS-31 is a synthetic tetrapeptide with an unusual structure: D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2. The 2,6-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) residue is what lets it target mitochondrial cardiolipin, and it's expensive to synthesize correctly. A vendor selling "SS-31" for $1/mg may be selling a simpler Arg-Tyr-Lys-Phe sequence without the Dmt modification — identical looking on a cheap assay, completely non-functional in practice.
What a COA (Certificate of Analysis) Should Include
Identity Confirmation
- Mass spectrometry confirming the correct molecular weight (639.8 Da for SS-31)
- Amino acid sequence verification matching D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2
- Confirmation of the Dmt (2,6-dimethyltyrosine) residue — the most critical modification
Purity Testing
- HPLC purity — look for 98%+ purity
- The chromatogram should show a single dominant peak with minimal truncated-sequence impurities
Contamination Testing
- Endotoxin levels (bacterial contamination)
- Residual solvent analysis (acetonitrile, TFA)
- Heavy metals screening
How to Verify a COA Is Legitimate
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Check the testing lab — Reputable labs include Janoshik Analytical, MZ Biolabs, and Colmaric Analyticals. Avoid vendors who only show "in-house" testing.
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Verify on the lab's website — Janoshik COAs have a task number you can look up directly at janoshik.com. If the vendor won't provide a verifiable task number, that's a red flag.
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Check the date — COAs should be recent (within 6 months). Old COAs may not represent the current batch.
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Match the batch — The batch/lot number on the COA should match what's printed on your vial.
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Look for the original PDF — Screenshots are easier to fake than full PDFs with lab letterhead and signatures.
Red Flags to Avoid
- No COA available — without confirming the Dmt residue, you have no idea if you're buying real SS-31
- Only in-house testing — self-reported purity numbers are meaningless
- Prices below $2/mg across all sizes — synthesis of the Dmt residue is expensive; this signals a substituted sequence
- No contact information — legitimate vendors have real customer service
- Cryptocurrency only — good vendors accept crypto but also standard payment rails
- No return or reship policy — reputable vendors stand behind their products
