Discovery and rapid optimization of peptides to enhance their drug like properties
Alan Kopin
Co-founder, On Target Therapeutics
On Target Therapeutics (oTTx) is an early stage biotechnology company focused on developing best-in-class peptide based drugs. Our platform utilizes complementary recombinant DNA and synthetic chemistry approaches to rapidly enhance the drug-like properties of peptides (e.g. potency, efficacy, stability, onset and durability of action). Our strategy is highly versatile and has been applied to a number of G protein-coupled receptor ligands. The power and simplicity of our technical approach is seen in the development of a peptide analog that targets the chemerin receptor, CMKLR1, as a treatment for inflammatory disease. Starting with endogenous chemerin (136 amino acids), we applied our recombinant methodology to select a 9 amino acid surrogate agonist. Chemical modifications were then introduced and screened for improved drug-like properties, using an assay platform developed at oTTx. Compound oTTx-63, the product of our iterative recombinant-synthetic approach is a novel, high potency, long-acting peptide. Efficacy has been shown in mouse models of neuropathic pain and allergic asthma. We anticipate first in man studies within 24 months. Other promising drug candidates in our pipeline include GLP-1 and GLP-2 analogs. These compounds show pharmacological profiles surpassing those of the corresponding FDA approved drugs, Liraglutide and Gattex. On Target Therapeutics is exploring licensing, partnerships and/or equity investments.