Peptide therapeutics

Faster drug discovery could hit ‘undruggable’ targets

23 January 2020 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review)

A new technique has been developed which has the potential to harness bacteria to produce billions of different drug candidates to treat diseases like cancer.

Potential peptide treatment could prevent onset of PTSD

14 January 2020 | By Hannah Balfour (Drug Target Review)

A study has identified a protein complex elevated in PTSD patients and developed a peptide to disrupt it, preventing the recall of fear memories in early tests and paving the way for new therapies.

Transitioning novel peptide hits into lead compounds

16 December 2019 | By Dr Carol M Trim (Canterbury Christ Church University), Steven A Trim (Venomtech)

Unlike synthetic compound libraries, natural product hits must be identified and characterised, as the molecule is often unknown. Venom peptides are often inherently stable due to cysteine knots whereas other peptides may not be. Steve and Carol Trim discuss the challenges of the hit-to-lead journey with these non-standard hits.

Researchers find 150 possible inhibitors to fight Nipah virus

13 December 2019 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review)

A group of scientists from India have used 3D imaging of the Nipah virus to discover potential inhibitors for the disease.

Hit-To-Lead In-Depth Focus 2019

10 December 2019 | By Drug Target Review

This in-depth focus features articles on identifying new leads for neglected tropical diseases and how to develop novel peptide hits into lead compounds. 

Drug Target Review – Issue 4 2019

10 December 2019 | By Drug Target Review

This issue includes a discussion on the future of high-throughput screening through collaboration, an analysis of mass spectrometry as a structural biology tool and an exploration of the challenges of hit-to-lead when researching tropical diseases. Also in the issue are articles on immuno-oncology and assays. 

Newly engineered peptide shows long-acting efficacy against HIV

6 December 2019 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review)

Researchers have developed a novel peptide with a prolonged half-life that has demonstrated success in rhesus monkeys and mice for inhibiting HIV infections.

Novel peptide could lead to antibiotic for drug-resistant bacteria

22 November 2019 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review)

A novel peptide has been discovered that attacks gram negative bacteria at a previously unknown site of action which presents a promising lead substance for the development of a new antibiotic.

Short peptides discovery could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer’s

18 September 2019 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review)

The memory of mice with Alzheimer's greatly improved after they were injected with two newly discovered short peptides.

Unhealthy gut microbiomes in mice remodelled into more healthy ones

27 August 2019 | By Rachael Harper (Drug Target Review)

Scientists have shown that there are molecules to remodel the gut microbiome and turn an unhealthful gut into a more healthful one for the first time.

Enzo Life Sciences

New drug target for depression identified

23 May 2019 | By Victoria Rees (Drug Target Review)

Researchers find key molecule in depression and identify new therapeutic targets.

Secret life of antimicrobial peptide revealed through CRISPR

26 February 2019 | By Drug Target Review

Antimicrobial peptides were found to act against Gram-negative bacteria and certain fungi by working either together or by adding up their individual effects...

Venoms could be used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases

31 August 2018 | By Iqra Farooq (Drug Target Review)

Venoms are continually being researched as potential chemicals for medicinal therapeutics to treat autoimmune diseases and diabetes...

Potential peptide drug could treat liver cancer effectively

2 August 2018 | By Drug Target Review

Researchers have discovered that FFW and Sorafenib used together could reduce the growth of Sorafenib resistant hepatocellular carcinoma tumours...