STTR Phase I: Selection of Unnatural Cyclic Peptide Libraries by Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Display

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will explore the feasibility of using mRNA display to isolate non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like peptides that interact with the anti-cancer target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These peptides are important pharmaceutical therapeutics that exhibit antibiotic and immunosuppressive activities. This STTR research will develop methods for peptide identification that are selectable in vitro using genetic techniques. These peptides exhibit very high affinities, show high specificities of binding, but have drug-like properties such as protease resistance and long serum half-lives. This project will validate and optimize the technology to create NRPS-like peptides and will result in a lead compound for VEGF inhibition. Commercially, this project will result in NRPS-like peptides that inhibit VEGF. These methods will provide potential lead compounds more cheaply and easily than current anti-VEGF therapeutics. Additionally, the STTR research validates new technology to synthesize cyclic, unnatural peptide libraries that resemble NRPS-like peptides. This technology will serve as a drug discover platform for the isolation of other therapeutics.