New Ligand Extends the Half-life of Peptides from Minutes to Days

(EPFL, July 17, 2017)

Peptides are biological molecules, made up of short sequences of amino acids. Because they are easy to synthesize, show low toxicity and high efficacy, peptides – such as insulin and other hormones – can be used as drugs. However, peptide drugs are quickly cleared by the kidneys, so only those that act within minutes can be used. This problem can be overcome by connecting peptides to ligands that bind blood-serum proteins such as albumin, allowing the peptide to linger in the bloodstream longer. EPFL scientists have developed a ligand that connects peptide drugs to blood-serum albumin and keeps them from being cleared by the kidneys too soon. As reported in Nature Communications, the ligand can extend the half-life of therapeutic peptides from minutes to several days.