lucinactant

Lucinactant is a fully synthetic pulmonary surfactant used for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants at risk for RDS. It contains sinapultide (KL4 peptide), a 21-amino acid synthetic peptide designed to mimic the function of human surfactant protein B, along with phospholipids and palmitic acid. Unlike earlier animal-derived surfactants, lucinactant is entirely synthetic and devoid of animal components. Its mechanism involves lowering surface tension at the air-liquid interface in alveoli, thereby stabilizing alveoli against collapse and compensating for endogenous surfactant deficiency in preterm infants[1][2][3][5][7]. Lucinactant has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting neutrophil transmigration into alveoli[6]. It was developed primarily for neonatal use but has also been studied in other populations such as full-term infants with meconium aspiration syndrome and adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), though it is not indicated for ARDS treatment[4].

Brand names

Surfaxin