Therapeutic peptides from scorpion venom

Canadian health company PreveCeutical Medical Inc (PMI) has signed a research and option agreement with UniQuest, the commercialisation company of The University of Queensland (UQ), to develop stabilised natural and synthetic peptides from scorpion venom.

With a focus on the preventative health sector, PMI is developing products derived from Caribbean blue scorpion venom for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical market. This includes the CellB9 Immune System Booster product, which contains peptides that are obtained from the scorpion.

“Wellness products developed from scorpion venom-derived natural and synthetic peptides have the potential to be applied across a number of therapeutic applications, including boosting the immune system,” said PMI Chairman and CEO Stephen Van Deventer.

In collaboration with UniQuest, PMI aims to identify the active peptides that provide immune-boosting and tumour-selective painting properties, develop synthetic versions of the active peptides and ultimately identify other therapeutic applications. The project is based on the research of Dr Harendra (Harry) Parekh, of the UQ School of Pharmacy, who will be collaborating with PMI.

“UQ’s School of Pharmacy has unique intellectual property in stabilising therapeutic peptides and is in a position to add value by extending PreveCeutical’s product line,” said UniQuest CEO Dr Dean Moss. The agreement also provides PMI with an option to negotiate for a licence to use UniQuest’s intellectual property for the commercialisation of blue scorpion venom-derived products.

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