Two novel recombinant enzymes in our pipeline, HTI-501 and MMP1ts, degrade collagen and are currently undergoing preclinical investigations. HTI-501 is a human lysosomal proteinase, also known as cathepsin-L, that is active under mildly acidic conditions. It has no activity at normal physiologic pH. MMP1ts, which stands for metalloproteinase temperature selective, only shows activity at room temperature. It has no activity at normal body temperature.
These attributes may be harnessed to exert control over the duration and location of the enzymes’ therapeutic activity, potentially improving the efficacy or safety of these product candidates. These enzymes may be useful in the treatment of both medical and aesthetic dermatologic conditions such as cellulite, scarring, Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease. Tests with HTI-501 and MMP1ts in several animal models have produced encouraging results and our preclinical investigations of these enzymes will continue in 2010.