Developing H2 relaxin analog – B7-33 – as antifibrotic therapy
Fibrosis (tissue scarring) results from an aberrant wound-healing response to organ injury and contributes to organ dysfunction and failure through excessive extracellular matrix (primarily collagen) build-up in fibrosis and fibrosis-related diseases (e.g. heart, kidney failure). These medical problems contribute to more than 45% of deaths globally.
Currently, available therapies (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs) only delay disease progression by months and can induce severe side effects after chronic administration. Novel anti-fibrotic therapies that are safe and can renormalise organ function are needed.
Aims
- Produce relaxin hormone-based peptides analogues.
- Develop drug candidates for novel anti-fibrotic therapies.
We’ll produce relaxin hormone-based peptides analogues that are shown to have strong anti-fibrotic effects. Using modern solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), rational and structure-based design, we’ll develop drug candidates. The preclinical analogues will be tested in cell-based assays (RXFP1 cells, binding, and cAMP potency) and in animal models of fibrosis.
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