ACE-031 has been developed to help treat muscle weakness and deterioration, a ACE-031 peptide is a myostatin-inhibiting protein produced to mimic a natural receptor involved in the control of muscle mass, strength and function. ACE-031 acts as a mysotatin blocker by binding myostatin and additional proteins that regulate the function of myostatin. Myostatin is an important protein that works to prevent the growth and development of muscle cells.

ACE-031 works by binding myostatin from the circulation, preventing it from binding to its own receptors. These receptors normally function to shut down muscle growth when myostatin is bound, but because the binding is blocked by ACE-31, muscle growth can continue indefinitely. Animal and human studies using ACE-031 showed an increase in lean muscle mass and muscle volume, with beneficial effects on fat and bone biomarkers.