Drs. Monica Kraft and Julie Ledford received SSTR funding for a Phase I proposal to develop new, short peptide derivatives and mimetics of the active region of surfactant protein-A (SP-A), a protein that regulates key innate immune functions in the lung, and perform a drug screen that identifies those most active and stable with similar efficacy as the full-length protein. SP-A-derived peptides do not occur naturally and by synthetically produced analogs, custom modifications can be created with improved pharmacokinetic properties and stability. We will use asthma as our test model where SP-A peptide analogs modulate eosinophil and epithelial cell functions, key targets where cellular mechanisms drive the allergic asthma phenotype.
The objective of this Phase I proposal is to develop a small portion (peptide) of the active site of surfactant protein-A, that has anti-inflammatory effects in the lung. Through collaborations between their company, RaeSedo, LLC and the University of Arizona, Dr. Kraft and Dr. Ledford plan to develop a new class of therapeutics for asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.