V13K

V13K is a synthetic 26-residue amphipathic α-helical antimicrobial peptide (AMP) currently in the research and preclinical stage. It is designed to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial and fungal pathogens while maintaining negligible hemolytic activity toward human red blood cells. Beyond its anti-infective properties, V13K has demonstrated significant anticancer activity, potentially through membrane-disrupting mechanisms common to cationic amphipathic peptides. A protease-resistant version composed of D-amino acids, known as D-V13K, has also been developed to enhance metabolic stability for potential clinical applications.