LBT-3627 is an experimental peptide drug derived from vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) intended to modulate the behavior of immune cells in cases of neurodegenerative disease such that they protect

dopamine Dopamine (DA, a contraction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine) is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays several important roles in cells. It is an organic compound, organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. Dopamine const ...

-producing cells rather than attack them. The drug is currently being studied for its potential use in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Function

LBT-3627 specifically targets the VIP₂ receptor. The drug may also have an effect on

microglia Microglia are a type of neuroglia (glial cell) located throughout the brain and spinal cord. Microglia account for about 7% of cells found within the brain. As the resident macrophage cells, they act as the first and main form of active immune de ...

. LBT-3627 has been shown to be more stable in the body as compared to VIP.

History and development

Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Longevity Biotech, Inc. in Philadelphia first demonstrated the use of the drug in mouse models. A

phase I trial The phases of clinical research are the stages in which scientists conduct experiments with a health intervention to obtain sufficient evidence for a process considered effective as a medical treatment. For drug development, the clinical phases ...

for humans was planned for 2017, but as of 2018 it was still in the

preclinical development In drug development, preclinical development, also termed preclinical studies or nonclinical studies, is a stage of research that begins before clinical trials (testing in humans) and during which important feasibility, iterative testing and drug ...

stage.

References

{{Antiparkinson Antiparkinsonian agents Peptide therapeutics Receptor agonists