TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A study led by scientists at Susavion Biosciences, Inc. identified a unique peptide that mimics the sugar sialic acid and binds with high avidity to inhibitory, sialic acid-binding receptors on immune cells. Administration of the peptide to mice induced dramatic increases in populations of activated immune cells in the peritoneal cavity. In the report published in the online journal PLOS ONE (A Peptide Mimetic of 5-Acetylneuraminic Acid-Galactose Binds with High Avidity to Siglecs and NKG2D, Research Article, published 25 June 2015), Susavion describes these activities as characteristic of a novel ‘checkpoint inhibitor’ for immunotherapy. The peptide also binds to activating receptors, in particular those expressed by natural killer cells. The combination of reducing the activity of inhibitory receptors such as siglecs and enhancing activating receptors recommends its use as a unique and powerful therapeutic agent.
The goal of immunotherapy research is to find treatments that restore the body’s ability fight infectious diseases and cancer. “This has been a remarkable story, from an idea to the demonstration of therapeutic activity of these peptides in vivo. We are pleased that our approach of designing peptides that mimic sugar ligands of regulatory receptors is being validated by third-party agencies. This publication is recognition of our innovative approach to treat cancer and infectious diseases afflicting populations around the world today,” said Dr. Laura Eggink, President of Susavion Biosciences.
About Susavion Biosciences, Inc.:
The peptide was discovered by scientists at Susavion Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotech company in Tempe, Arizona. The mission of the company is to apply Susavion’s MultiValent Peptide Mimetic (MVPM) Technology platform to develop drugs that harness the power of the immune system to combat cancer and other major diseases. The research was performed in collaboration with other scientists at the University of Patras and the California Department of Public Health.
Journal Reference:
A Peptide Mimetic of 5-Acetylneuraminic Acid-Galactose Binds with High Avidity to Siglecs and NKG2D. Laura L. Eggink, Georgios A. Spyroulias, Norman G. Jones, Carl V. Hanson, J. Kenneth Hoober. Research Article | published 25 Jun 2015 | PLOS ONE10.1371/journal.pone.0130532
Further information is available on the Company’s website, www.susavion.com.
Susavion Biosciences, Inc.
J. Kenneth Hoober, 480-921-3795
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