Pieris Announces Preclinical In Vitro and In Vivo Data for its Anticalin PRS-080 Hepcidin Antagonist Drug Program

25-May-2011 - Germany

Pieris AG announced preclinical in vitro and in vivo data for its PRS-080 Anticalin antagonist program targeting hepcidin, a small peptide which plays a pivotal role in the regulation of iron levels in the blood. PRS-080 showcases Anticalins’ ability to encapsulate small targets like hepcidin with high specificity and potency. The results of Pieris’ PRS-080 studies are being presented at the International BioIron Society Meeting in Vancouver, Canada.

“This program is extremely exciting because of the numerous lines of scientific evidence strongly suggesting the benefits of antagonizing hepcidin, a molecule that is aptly suited for targeting by Anticalins, for treating multiple forms of anemia,” stated Laurent Audoly, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Pieris. “Because of the diverse clinical profiles of our target populations, we are also capitalizing on our ability to develop Anticalins with a range of half-life values in order to maximize the therapeutic index in any one disorder.”

Pieris researchers documented that PRS-080 displayed sub-nanomolar potency, which translated into robust cell-based and in vivo efficacy. In a preclinical model of efficacy, PRS-080 administration showed complete inhibition of hepcidin-induced hypoferremia in a dose-dependent manner. The researchers also demonstrated a favorable half-life for the compound through further preclinical studies.

Hepcidin is a liver-derived peptide that regulates iron homeostasis in the blood. Produced in response to iron overload and inflammation, hepcidin decreases iron absorption. When over-expressed, the peptide is associated with the development of anemia, often the result of chronic kidney disease, cancer, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and other inflammatory diseases.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/132635/pieris-announces-preclinical-in-vitro-and-in-vivo-data-for-its-anticalin-prs-080-hepcidin-antagonist-drug-program.html