htpep-001

HTPEP-001 is a first-in-class synthetic peptide developed as an inhaled therapy for fibrotic and neoplastic diseases. It acts as an antagonist of thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), thereby inhibiting the activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling, which plays a central role in fibrosis and tumor progression. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that inhaled HTPEP-001 can reverse pulmonary fibrosis with a high safety margin and reduce tumor growth by suppressing TGF-beta signaling, decreasing phosphorylated Smad expression, and promoting infiltration of cytotoxic lymphocytes into tumors. The drug is being developed primarily for progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and solid tumors. Its developer, Chengdu Huitai Biomedical Co., Ltd., has advanced it to Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity in healthy subjects[1][2][3][4][5][6].