ipiutide

Ipiutide is a synthetic 19-amino acid peptide that mimics the C-terminal bioactive fragment of human lacritin, a naturally occurring glycoprotein found in tears. Developed by Yicheng Kangtai (Xiamen) Biotechnology, it is being investigated as a novel treatment for dry eye syndrome (DES). Ipiutide functions as a syndecan-1 agonist; by binding to syndecan-1 on the ocular surface, it triggers a signaling cascade involving PKCα and NFAT, which stimulates basal tear secretion and promotes the health, survival, and wound healing of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Unlike many existing dry eye treatments that primarily target inflammation, ipiutide aims to restore tear film homeostasis and repair the ocular surface by mimicking the physiological functions of lacritin.

Other names

lacritin-derived peptide