Source: Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. & reported by http://www.prnewswire.com/
MILPITAS, Calif., July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. today announced receipt of a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant from the National Institute of Heart and Lung Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. The award, Number HL132702-01A1, supports preclinical research aimed at discovering and optimizing lead molecules as novel peptide mimetics of the natural hepcidin hormone. Protagonist aims to develop these mimetics as potential injectable treatments for iron overload disorders, such as beta-thalassemia and hereditary hemochromatosis.
Protagonist's research has shown that hepcidin mimetics discovered using the company's peptide technology platform can lower serum iron when administered subcutaneously in animal studies. This award will help further the company's efforts to translate these preclinical proof-of-concept findings into a potential human therapeutic for patients characterized by anemia and organ iron overload.
"This new SBIR grant will support our efforts to use our technology platform to create novel peptide drugs," said David Y. Liu, Ph.D., Protagonist Chief Scientific Officer. "Through this award, the reviewers also recognize the considerable benefit which could be provided for the treatment of iron overload disorders through therapeutic targeting of the hepcidin-ferroportin pathway, which is the master regulator of iron homeostasis."
Read more: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protagonist-therapeutics-receives-sbir-funding-for-the-development-of-injectable-hepcidin-mimetics-for-treatment-of-iron-overload-disorders-300305384.html