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Vicor Technologies' Reports Exciting Results Concerning Peptides
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA — July 10, 2001 — VICOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., is reporting new and exciting results concerning the hibernation-peptides and their Pharmacology. Vicor's scientists felt that two essential results were observed during the latest studies.
- There are hibernation-specific peptides that regulate the ten or so hibernation-physiologies that Vicor has investigated.
- These hibernation-specific peptides appear to be non-toxic in non-hibernating species.
The 2D gels prepared by Genomic Solutions from our plasma and albumin-fraction extracts, sampled from summer non-hibernating woodchucks and winter hibernating woodchucks, clearly show at least 10 hibernation-specific molecules in the region where peptides are usually found. There is no trace of the expression of these peptides during summer months, only during the state of hibernation. The state of hibernation is regulated solely by neuroendocrine signals, because the cold temperatures during hibernation render the central and peripheral nerves functionless.
Each peptide is less than 32 kDa. in size, which means that there are less than 200 or so amino acids in the structure. This small size means that we should be able to sequence each peptide easily and then synthesize it directly for use in larger studies. We will initially study the separately synthesized peptides in our three targeted bioassay models: hypertension, obesity, and cancer.
Our recent studies of toxicity, which were conducted at the threshold IV-dose for reducing blood pressure in genetic hypertension, show a complete lack of any untoward physiological or anatomical signs, in either the short-term (5 days after a single dose) or long-term (3 weeks with doses every other day). This lack of toxicity now warrants further study. We will start examining dose-responses and toxicity in subsequent assay studies.
During the next few months we will cut-out and wash-off each of the pure peptide spots located in the 2D gels. Then we will perform mass-spectroscopy on them and their digested fragments. In this way we will be able to rapidly identify the structure of each pure peptide. We should know the amino-acid sequences of each of the ten spots by next fall. At that point we will apply for provisional patents. Once the molecule is associated with a specific bioassay, then we will apply for the full structure-function patents.
Vicor's scientists are now preparing the "white paper" (research collaboration and design) in regards to these studies. When completed (in approximately 2 weeks), a copy will be forwarded to you for your perusal.
Vicor anticipates significant progress in the next 120 days in regard to the "purification" of these hibernation-specific peptides. Vicor has positioned itself to move rapidly in its application process for approximately 10-14 provisional patents.