oral hepcidin mimetic

The oral hepcidin mimetic (including candidates such as PN-10943) is a preclinical peptide-based therapeutic developed by Protagonist Therapeutics. It is designed to function as a synthetic analog of the endogenous hormone hepcidin, which serves as the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. The peptide acts by binding to ferroportin, the sole known cellular iron export channel found on enterocytes, macrophages, and hepatocytes. This binding induces the internalization and subsequent degradation of ferroportin, thereby restricting the entry of iron into the blood circulation. This mechanism is being explored for the treatment of iron overload disorders like Hereditary Hemochromatosis and for managing erythropoiesis in Polycythemia Vera by limiting iron availability for red blood cell production. This program utilizes Protagonist's proprietary oral peptide technology platform to provide a more convenient delivery route compared to injectable hepcidin mimetics like rusfertide.

Other names

oral hepcidin mimetics