Peptide Prevents Spike Protein Binding and Slows the Transmission of COVID-19 Technology and intellectual property is licensed exclusively from Virginia Commonwealth University and invented by Michael H. Peters, Ph.D. [20-May-2020] NEW YORK , May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a biopharmaceutical company, today announced lic
| NEW YORK, May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a biopharmaceutical company, today announced licensing technology and intellectual property exclusively from Virginia Commonwealth University (“VCU”) for a novel peptide therapeutic to prevent spike protein binding, which may be a leading cause of COVID-19, and slow its transmission.
The research is being led by inventor Michael H. Peters, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at VCU, College of Engineering, and is being aided, in part, by powerful supercomputers as part of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium through a virtual system that scientists can use to interactively share computing resources known as the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment. The consortium is a private-public partnership that includes the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and major technology corporations. SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 attaches to and enters cells through the binding of its perfusion Spike Protein to the cell surface receptor Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is a protein found on the surface of lung alveolar cells, cells of the small intestine, and arteriole cells making it highly dispersed throughout the body. Because of the wide-spread dispersion of ACE2 within the body, there are numerous opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 to infiltrate the body. The spike in protein plays an important role in attaching to human cells and infecting the body. Researchers at VCU have developed at novel peptide that binds with extremely high affinity to SD1 segment of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mimicking its attachment to ACE2. This high binding affinity helps block the spike protein from attaching to the ACE2 surface receptor, thus limiting the transmission of the virus. Further development of the novel peptide can also allow a novel target for the SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Peters commented, “The spike protein of the novel corona virus SARS-Cov-2 associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic uses a specific receptor on human epithelial cells, called ACE2, for its fusion and infection process. This therapeutic development effort exploits the unusually strong and unique binding of the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein to ACE2 to develop safe and effective peptide ‘decoys’ that have the potential to preferentially bind to the spike protein and prevent fusion and infection.” “Computer modeling of SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein is an important step in finding ways to prevent the virus from binding to ACE2 receptors and allowing the virus to replicate,” said Ivelina Metcheva, Ph.D., Senior Executive Director of VCU’s Innovation Gateway. “We are very excited to assist Dr. Peter’s collaboration with Hoth Therapeutics to develop potentially life-saving therapy for COVID-19.” “My team and Board have continued to see remarkable technologies that could have potential breakthroughs in the fight against COVID-19,” said Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics. “Dr. Peters and his team have been working diligently on analyzing data surrounding the theory of SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein, its potential effect on COVID-19 and developing a therapeutic that would be effective in limiting transmission of the virus.” About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Forward Looking Statements Investor Contact: KCSA Strategic Communications
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Company Codes: NASDAQ-NMS:HOTH |
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