PL-3994 for Refractory Hypertension
PL-3994, discovered and developed by scientists at Palatin Technologies, is a natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) agonist compound. Developed initially for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF), PL-3994 has successfully completed both a Phase 1 and Phase 2a trial.
Refractory or resistant hypertension is high blood pressure not adequately controlled by current therapies, such as a three-drug regimen that includes a diuretic. Refractory hypertension is often found in patients with heart failure or renal disease, and puts patients at increased risk for major cardiovascular events.
PL-3994 lowers blood pressure through a mechanism different than currently approved agents, and acts through the NPRA system. Data from the Phase 2a trial suggests that PL-3994 acts synergistically with ACE inhibitors, a class of pharmaceuticals used primarily to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. This suggests that PL-3994 could be administered as an adjunct to standard therapy in patients with refractory hypertension.
PL-3994 is a synthetic molecule, incorporating a novel and proprietary amino acid mimetic developed by Palatin Technologies. PL-3994 has an extended half-life, with reduced affinity for natriuretic peptide clearance receptors and increased resistance to neutral endopeptidase, an endogenous enzyme that degrades natriuretic peptides. The result is a drug with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
|
