Developing a new drug to treat a heart attack

Lead optimisation of novel small molecule natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-C agonists for the treatment of myocardial infarction

Professor Adrian Hobbs and his colleagues at Queen Mary University of London are looking for new ways to prevent and treat heart muscle damage after a heart attack. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a member of a family of naturally occurring substances that control the heart and circulatory system. CNP is found in the endothelial cells that line our blood vessels. Scientists think it controls the behaviour of blood vessels and cells circulating in the blood stream, and helps to control blood pressure, and could protect the heart during a heart attack. But they do not yet understand how. Professor Hobbs has identified a new pathway in the heart and circulatory system that is triggered by CNP. He has discovered that activating a specific ‘receptor’ protein present in blood vessels called natriuretic peptide receptor type C, or NPR-C, is responsible for the biological actions of CNP. In this project, Professor Hobbs and his team will develop and optimise new molecules they have made that selectively activate NPR-C. The team hope to identify a molecule to take forward into animal studies and clinical trials. This research could reveal new molecules that mimic the actions of CNP and NPR-C, which could help to reduce the risk of, or treat heart attacks and stroke.