Anexon's fail-safe BNP

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota have identified an alternatively spliced form of the hormone B-type natriuretic peptide that lacks the blood pressure-lowering effects that have curtailed the use of its regular form in heart failure patients.¹ Later this year, Anexon Inc. plans to start Phase I testing for the splice variant ANX-042, one in the family of BNP splice variants from the Mayo Clinic that the company has exclusively licensed.

Natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB; BNP), also known as B-type natriuretic peptide, is a peptide hormone normally secreted by ventricular cardiomyocytes. The peptide helps clear salt and water from the body and also acts as a vasodilator to reduce blood pressure.² During heart failure, the body tries to compensate for decreased cardiac outputby increasing expression of BNP...