Application

Cancer metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer-related death, yet few therapies effectively target the enzymes that drive tumor invasion and spread.

MMP7 (matrilysin) is a well-validated but underexploited target: it is overexpressed in pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, and lung cancers, where it promotes tumor cell migration, extracellular matrix degradation, and poor prognosis.

Our selective MMP7 inhibitor is designed for use in:

  • Advanced/metastatic solid tumors overexpressing MMP7
  • Combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to limit metastasis
  • Potentially as an oral peptide therapeutic, overcoming the limitations of biologics

Our Innovation

Using an advance chemical synthesis strategy we generated both the L- and D-enantiomers of human MMP7, enabling the first-ever application of mirror-image RaPID (MI-RaPID, mirror-image mRNA display library) selection against cancer target.

Through this approach, we identified a macrocyclic peptide that:

  • Selectively inhibits MMP7 with nanomolar potency (IC₅₀ = 90 nM)
  • Is highly stable in human serum, gastric, and intestinal fluids
  • Prevents cancer cell migration without affecting viability
  • Has potential for oral administration due to its high protease resistance (cyclic macrocylic peptide composed mostly of D-amino acids)

Advantages

  • Selective targeting of a clinically validated cancer metastasis driver
  • First macrocyclic peptide inhibitor suitable for oral delivery
  • Exceptional stability and specificity
  • Platform is modular and extensible to other protease targets

Opportunity

MMP7 is overexpressed in aggressive tumors and correlates with poor prognosis. Existing MMP inhibitors lack specificity or bioavailability.
Our peptide leads offer a differentiated therapeutic strategy with:

  • Entry into the rapidly growing peptide oncology market
  • Applicability to oral peptide therapeutics
  • Strong positioning in a low-competition, high-need niche

Development Stage

  • Confirmed in vitro efficacy and selectivity
  • Stable in serum and GI conditions
  • Published in Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. (2025)

Next steps include in vivo efficacy studies, pharmacokinetic evaluation and formulation development.