Nile licenses CU-NP from Mayo Clinic

The USA's Nile Therapeutics has entered into a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with US research center, the Mayo Clinic for the rights to commercially develop CU-NP, the latter's rationally-designed natriuretic peptide that consists of amino acid chains identical to those produced by the human body, specifically the ring structure of C-type Natriuretic Peptide and the N- and C-termini of Urodilatin.

CU-NP was designed by researchers at Mayo to combine the favorable hemodynamic venodilating effects of CNP generated via NPR-B receptor agonism, with the beneficial renal effects of URO generated via NPR-A receptor agonism, Nile noted. As part of the deal, the US firm will pay development milestones and royalties based on sales of the licensed product. Further financial details were not disclosed.

At the American Heart Association conference in November 2007, Mayo scientists presented data from a study of CU- NP in vivo, showing that it increased natriuresis, diuresis and glomerular filtration rate in a dose dependent manner, as well as decreased cardiac filling pressure. It also inhibited the renin-angiotensin system without inducing significant hypotension.