Innovative Mini-Proteins for Convenient and Efficacious Biologics
Our company specializes in the discovery and development of small, modular and conjugable mini-proteins.
Our mini-proteins are small. The molecular weights are limited to be 3-5 kDa, the range within the traditional definition of peptide. This property makes our mini-proteins suitable for convenient drug administration routes such as oral and inhalation. Our mini-proteins, once properly formulated, can be developed to achieve whatever peptides can do; such as oral Semaglutide, JNJ-2113 and MK-0616, each of which is already or on the way to become blockbuster drugs.
Unlike peptides, our mini-proteins have stable 3D structures. In particular, they are compacted with a stable framework for easier manipulation and manufacturing, and three exposed loops for high affinity target binding.
Further, our mini-proteins do not contain unnatural amino acids. This makes our mini-proteins much easier on discovery and development than peptides, which require extensive chemical modifications or replacement to unnatural amino acids to be highly potent therapeutics.
Small size also enables deep infiltration to diseased tissues. It is well known that molecules of large molecular weight such as antibodies (150 kDa) do not infiltrate deep into tissues. For instance, for any given antibody based oncology therapeutics, only about 1% of the drug molecules reach tumor interior. This is why molecules of small sizes are the hot pursuit in oncology treatments, especially in the development of radioligand conjugated medicines.
Combining the advantages of small size, stable structure, and composition of purely natural amino acids, our mini-protein scaffolds are the backbone of next generation biologics therapeutics.
How do Aries’ mini-proteins compare to peptides?
Aries’ mini-proteins have similar sizes (molecular weights) as conventional peptides. Therefore, like peptides, mini-proteins by Aries are suitable for the development of oral and inhalable therapeutics; and are with the same advantage of deep tissue infiltration.
Unlike typical peptides which contain unnatural amino acids and chemical modifications, the mini-protein scaffolds by Aries are composed of natural amino acids only. It is hence easier and less costly to discover and optimize candidate molecules from Aries’ mini-protein scaffolds than on peptide backbones.
How do Aries’ mini-proteins compare to antibodies?
Like antibodies, Aries’ mini-protein scaffolds contain at least three loops for high affinity target binding and function.
Unlike antibodies whose typical sizes (molecular weight over 150 kDa) limit their administration routes to parenteral, Aries’ mini-proteins are possible to be developed to oral and inhalable biologics due to their small sizes (3-5 kDa).
What are the application prospects of Aries’ mini-proteins?
In principle, Aries’ mini-proteins are suited for all indications currently being treated by peptides and antibodies, especially when deep tissue infiltration and barrier crossing are necessary.
We are planning the first wave projects on three specific indications: IBD, Celiac disease, and COPD. More information on our planned projects are in the Pipeline page.
Do Aries’ mini-proteins have any other advantages?
Aries’ mini-protein are designed to have exposed disulfide bonds and lysine residues for conjugation. The conjugated payloads may be small molecules, oligonucleotides, radionuclides, and other modalities. Conjugation enables Aries’ mini-proteins to treat diseases with multiple function mechanisms.