metaLead Therapeutics AG

Lead (Pb) poisoning directly kills about 1 million people globally every year. Furthermore, 16% of children in the USA and every third child globally have elevated blood lead levels that are defined as dangerous. Pb is thus the most toxic metal to humans. Two drugs are used in the clinic, yet they suffer from low efficacy and high toxicity. Hence better medications that can efficiently treat children and adults are highly advantageous. We developed short peptides that tightly bind and detoxify Pb ions. Our lead compound was tested on mice and found to be significantly more potent than the two SOCs to treat Pb poisoning, while showing marginal toxicity and impressive oral stability. We thus aim to develop this peptide as a next-generation medication against Pb poisoning.