Evaluation of ACT1 to Treat Diabetic Keratopathy

FirstStrings前导肽ACT 1基于连接蛋白43（Cx43）的C末端序列，旨在进入细胞并竞争性抑制内源性Cx43的结合。Cx43在伤口愈合的多个方面发挥关键作用，包括损伤信号的传播、免疫细胞的外渗、肉芽组织形成和纤维化。 临床前有效性模型研究显示，与对照组相比，糖尿病大鼠乙醇诱导的角膜烧伤后，角膜上皮再生和伤口闭合显著增强。该项目将涉及ACT 1的进一步开发和安全性研究，ACT 1是一种潜在的糖尿病角膜病变治疗化合物。 BrIDG小组正在合作完成以下关于ACT 1的研究： - 支持I期研究的制剂开发和制剂生产 - 药代动力学/吸收、分布、代谢和排泄（PK/ADME）研究 - 研究性新药（IND）-定向毒理学

FirstStrings lead peptide, ACT1, is based on the C-terminal sequence of connexin43 (Cx43) and is designed to enter the cell and competitively inhibit the binding of endogenous Cx43. Cx43 plays critical roles in multiple aspects of wound healing, including spread of injury signals, extravasation of immune cells, granulation tissue formation, and fibrosis. Studies in preclinical models of efficacy show significant enhancement in corneal re-epithelialization and wound closure following ethanol-induced corneal burn injuries in diabetic rats, as compared with controls. This project will involve further development and safety studies of ACT1, a potential therapeutic compound for diabetic keratopathy. The BrIDGs team is collaborating on the completion of the following studies on ACT1: -Formulation development and manufacture of drug product to support Phase I studies -Pharmacokinetic/absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (PK/ADME) studies -Investigational New Drug (IND)-directed toxicology