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Other names | N-(1-Oxohexyl)-l-tyrosyl-N-(6-amino-6-oxohexyl)-l-isoleucinamide |
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Formula | C27H44N4O5 |
Molar mass | 504.672 g·mol−1 |
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Dihexa (developmental code PNB-0408; also known as N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide) is an oligopeptide drug derived from angiotensin IV that binds with high affinity to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and potentiates its activity at its receptor, c-Met. The compound has been found to potently improve cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer's disease-like mental impairment. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] In an assay of neurotrophic activity, dihexa was found to be seven orders of magnitude more potent than brain-derived neurotrophic factor. [9]
According to a patent, "Short duration safety studies with dihexa have uncovered no apparent toxicity. Of particular note is a lack of neoplastic induction [ citation needed ], since c-Met is recognized as an oncogene. This is unsurprising since oncogenesis requires multiple mutations including both oncogene induction and tumor suppressor attenuation." [10] [ citation needed ]
Dihexa was developed by Joseph Harding and his team at Washington State University. [11] Later developments were done by M3 Biotechnology, a company founded to commercialize dihexa. [12]
Fosgonimeton, a phosphate pro-drug of dihexa is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease [13]