CURRENT PROJECTS
Lead Project
APELIN ANALOGS
Apelin, a natural endogenous peptide, is a key mediator of cardiovascular control in humans. It plays a pivotal role in mechanisms regulating angiogenesis, blood flow, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility. Apelin in its natural form is bioactive for seconds before degradation by enzyme occurs. Apelin is downregulated in heart failure & pulmonary arterial hypertension putting patients at risk of cardiac injury. Additionally, reduced activation of the apelin system can ultimately worsen patient prognosis following a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
PEARKO Therapeutics has created patented Apelin Analog technology in the form of intravenous and subcutaneous formulations, bioactive for over 24 hours, leading to enhanced activation of cardioprotective pathways to treat patients with heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Efficient and effective treatment of these patients serves to improve patient prognosis and quality of life.
Ongoing Projects
ANGIOTENSIN 1-7 ANALOGS
Angiotensin 1-7, derived from the conversion of Angiotensin II by Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), is a natural peptide with cardioprotective effects. In heart failure, ACE2 is downregulated thereby limiting the availability of Angiotensin 1-7. PEARKO Therapeutics has created Angiotensin 1-7 Analogs to bypass this therapeutic limitation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), including cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus
ADAM17 INHIBITION
ADAM17 interferes with normal cell regulation in the aortic wall, leading to unmoderated pathological remodeling of the body’s largest artery. Aortic growth is often progressive and aortic dissection (aortic aneurysm) has no direct pharmacological therapy. Invasive, surgical resection is used to prevent long-term complications, such as rupture or dissection. PEARKO Therapeutics has developed a non-invasive pharmacological therapy that prevents further aortic growth by inhibiting ADAM17.