Biotech’s Rising Star: Peptide Drugs Explained

by Biotech Primer

Your body already loves peptides! Collagen (for your skin) and creatine (for your muscles) are popular peptide supplements. In drug form, peptide therapeutics are biotech’s rising stars. They bridge the gap between traditional small molecule drugs (think aspirin) and massive biologics like monoclonal antibodies. These tiny proteins pack a therapeutic punch with precision and fewer side effects. Let’s take a closer look at peptides in this week’s Primer!

Peptide 101

Peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), typically made up of 2 to 50 amino acids. Think of them as protein’s little siblings. While proteins handle heavy-duty tasks like transporting oxygen or building muscle, peptides focus on delivering precise signals within the body.

Mechanism of Action

Peptide drugs mimic natural peptides that act as messengers in the body, binding to specific receptors to trigger or block biological responses. The result? These drugs can target specific diseases with laser precision. For example:

• Insulin: The OG peptide drug. It regulates blood sugar in diabetes patients and sets the stage for the peptide drug boom.
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy): A celebrity in the peptide world. It mimics a gut hormone to control blood sugar and appetite, earning fame as a diabetes treatment and a weight-loss sensation.
• Bremelanotide (Vyleesi): This one’s for the romantics, treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.

Read the Full Article (3 min. read)

Biotech Primer Inc. provides engaging, interactive training courses tailored for non-scientists in the Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Molecular Diagnostics, and Medical Device sectors. These courses, developed by industry experts, simplify complex scientific and regulatory concepts for professionals seeking to navigate and contribute effectively to the healthcare sector. With flexible learning options like on-demand online classes and live sessions, Biotech Primer has educated over 150,000 professionals since 2001, making it a go-to resource for understanding the science behind healthcare innovation.