Arch Biopartners (ARCH) has published results on the effectiveness of dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) in treating acute kidney injury (AKI).
In this pre-clinical study, scientists demonstrated how DPEP-1 regulates inflammation to the kidney following a tissue damage injury.
This type of injury occurs after there is a reduction in blood flow to the kidney.
This type of injury is a common cause of AKI in humans undergoing cardiac surgery or kidney transplantation.
The study also confirmed that two DPEP-1 inhibitors, the LSALT peptide and cilastatin, effectively protected the kidney during such injuries.
Both the LSALT peptide and cilastatin are protected by patents for AKI and are held by Arch.
A scientific team led by Arch scientists first described a novel mechanism of action for organ inflammation in August 2019.
The enzyme DPEP-1 was identified for the first time as a receptor tool on the lung, liver and kidney membrane.
The findings identified DPEP-1 as a novel therapeutic target for diseases of these organs where inflammation plays a major role.
LSALT peptide is the lead DPEP-1 inhibitor and recently completed an international phase II trial to treat complications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Arch also has patent protection to re-purpose the small molecule cilastatin for the prevention of AKI caused by inflammation.
Arch is a clinical-stage company developing new drug candidates that inhibit inflammation.
Arch Biopartners Inc. (ARCH) is up 4.286 per cent trading at $3.65 per share as of 2:15 p.m. EST.