Science
Our drugs are based the principles of host defence peptides. The molecules are modifications of peptides found in the bovine Lactoferrin protein, abundant in cow-milk. Host defence peptides (HDPs) are an evolutionarily ancient component of the innate immune system of most multicellular organisms.(1)
Mechanism of lysing action. Illustration by
Michael Zasloff, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6059, USA
NATURE |VOL 415 | 24 JANUARY 2002 |www.nature.com
The lactoferrin protein is found in milk and is known to have direct
anti-microbial activity and cancer immune modulatory effects.
Lactoferricin is an amphipathic, cationic peptide with anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties. It can be generated by the pepsin-mediated digestion of lactoferrin. Lactoferricin is the most studied AMP (Antimicrobial Peptide) derived from milk protein.
Structure-activity-relationship studies on Lactoferricin have resulted in the design of optimal molecules originating from the Company’s technology platform; the anti-infective drugs LTX-109 and LTX-105.
1. Zasloff M. Antimicrobial peptides of multicellular organisms. Nature. 2002;415:389–95. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]