Host Defence Peptides

Unmet need

Host Defence Peptides

Technology

Completed trials

Posters and publications

Pipeline

Host Defence Peptides and Antimicrobial Peptides

Our drugs are based the principles of host defence peptides. The molecules are significant modifications of peptides found in the bovine Lactoferrin protein, to enhance stability and antimicrobial features. Host defence peptides (HDPs) are an evolutionarily ancient component of the innate immune system of most multicellular organisms.(Zasloff M. Antimicrobial peptides of multicellular organisms. Nature. 2002;415:389–95. [PubMed] [Google Scholar])

Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin

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.

Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin (blue)

Lactoferricin