Unlocking the Potential of Cyclic Peptide Therapeutics: Viva Biotech's Discovery Insights

Core Insights - Cyclic peptides are gaining prominence as a therapeutic innovation, bridging the gap between small molecules and large biologics, and are particularly suited for addressing traditionally "undruggable" targets [1][3] Industry Overview - Global investment in peptide pipelines is steadily increasing, highlighting the rising importance of cyclic peptides in drug discovery [1] - The ongoing webinar series on Medicinal Chemistry for Cyclic Peptide Drug Discovery indicates strong global interest in this area, showcasing the opportunities and challenges faced [2] Company Capabilities - Viva Biotech supports cyclic peptide discovery through in-house phage display and a DEL library, utilizing AI-based methods for structure prediction and design [4] - The company has established a comprehensive platform for peptide drug discovery, having delivered over 82,000 protein structures and synthesized more than 3,000 peptides, with over 80% being cyclic [8] Case Studies - Cyclosporine A demonstrates how a hydrophobic cyclic peptide can achieve oral exposure (~30%) and highlights the importance of structural studies in understanding its pharmacokinetics [5] - MK-0616 exemplifies a successful medicinal chemistry approach, achieving long half-lives (35–130 h) and significant reductions in PCSK9 and LDL-C levels through careful design and formulation [6][7] Future Directions - The integration of various methods and tools is crucial for practical cyclic peptide discovery at scale, with plans for continued collaboration with global partners to advance cyclic peptides as a therapeutic frontier [10]