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RSSMadison, Wisconsin (PRWEB) June 18, 2014
PeptiMed announced today that it was awarded United States patent No. 8,680,045, entitled, “Compositions of a peptide targeting system for treating cancer.” The invention describes a protein nanoparticle system for targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) or other drugs into tumors.
The basis of the protein system is elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) that self-assemble into nanoparticles upon exposure to siRNA under appropriate conditions. Specific targeting peptide motifs are fused to the core ELP structure by standard genetic engineering techniques. These targeting peptides confer specific binding of the nanoparticle to receptors on the surface of tumor cells and allow for uptake of the nanoparticle into the tumor cells.
“We are extremely proud of our inventors, Drs. Thomas Primiano, Bey-Dih Chang, and Jeremy Heidel, for designing our nanoparticle drug delivery system”, stated Scott Schneider, CEO of PeptiMed. “The unique character of the nanoparticle is that many desirable properties for delivery of nucleotide drugs into tumors, such as a tumor targeting and nucleotide-binding regions, proper size, and overall electrostatic charge, can be engineered into the single polypeptide chain”, said Dr. Primiano.
Dr. Heidel added, “Effective siRNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues, including tumors, remains a significant obstacle to maximizing the potential therapeutic uses of siRNA. The biodistribution and efficacy data for ELP/siRNA nanoparticles generated by PeptiMed and collaborators in multiple in vivo cancer models is encouraging, and I look forward to the continued advancement of these nanoparticles toward clinical evaluation, wherein we hope they can provide benefit to cancer patients in need.”
ABOUT PEPTIMED
The mission of PeptiMed is to discover and provide nucleotide-based therapies and delivery systems for nucleotide-based drugs with unprecedented potency in ameliorating late-stage cancer while avoiding debilitating side effects, thereby improving prognosis and quality of life for each patient. PeptiMed has patented the hELP nanoparticle delivery system for nucleotides. PeptiMed plans to begin first-in-human studies to determine maximum tolerated and efficacious doses of the siRNA/ELP nanocomplex by the end of FY2015.
This press release contains positive forward-looking statements concerning the therapeutic value of PeptiMed’s siRNA/ELP nanocomplex. For further information please view the website http://www.peptimed.com or contact Dr. Thomas Primiano, Chief Business Officer.