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Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds that can be engineered to target specific pathways.2 They are used to treat diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and dermatologic conditions.3,4

Peptides can have many different functions, including acting as signaling molecules by binding to specific receptors.1,4,5

  • Peptides are highly specific with few off-target effects, only acting on the pathways they’re designed for2,3
  • They can target protein–protein interactions, and some have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties3,6,7
  • Their specificity may allow for lack of broad immune suppression8,9
  • Therapeutic peptides can be engineered to be delivered topically, as an injectable, or orally10

While peptides are highly specific, like monoclonal antibodies, they are also small enough for widespread biodistribution, like small molecules.1,6,11

How peptides work diagramTwist Image

Topicals and oral treatments

Small molecules
Small molecules icon

Lower molecular weight, which aids permeability and biodistribution1,4,6,11

Limited specificity leading to off-target effects1,6,11

Limited success rates against difficult targets1,4,6,11

JUST RIGHT?

Targeted oral peptides
Targeted oral peptides icon

Relatively low molecular weight, which aids permeability and biodistribution1,3

High specificity, minimizing off-target effects1,2

High success rates against difficult targets1,4

Biologics

Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies icon

High molecular weight, which limits biodistribution and is unsuitable for oral administration11

High specificity minimizing off-target effects11

High success rates against difficult targets11

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Targeted oral peptide technology could help strike a balance in dermatology1,4
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References: 1. Xiao W, Jiang W, Chen Z, et al. Advance in peptide-based drug development: delivery platforms, therapeutics and vaccines. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025;10(1):74. doi:10.1038/s41392-024-02107-5 2. Purohit K, Reddy N, Sunna A. Exploring the potential of bioactive peptides: from natural sources to therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(3):1391. doi:10.3390/ijms25031391 3. Zheng B, Wang X, Guo M, Tzeng C-M. Therapeutic peptides: recent advances in discovery, synthesis, and clinical translation. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(11):5131. doi:10.3390/ijms26115131 4. Henninot A, Collins JC, Nuss JM. The current state of peptide drug discovery: back to the future? J Med Chem. 2018;61(4):1382-1414. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00318 5. Fosgerau K, Hoffmann T. Peptide therapeutics: current status and future directions. Drug Discov Today. 2015;20(1):122-128. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2014.10.003 6. La Manna S, Di Natale C, Florio D, Marasco D. Peptides as therapeutic agents for inflammatory-related diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(9):2714. doi:10.3390/ijms19092714 7. Venneti NM, Stockdill JL. Stretching peptides' potential to target protein–protein interactions. ACS Cent Sci. 2023;9(4):590-592. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.3c00364 8. Pugliese A. Peptide-based treatment for autoimmune diseases: learning how to handle a double-edged sword. J Clin Invest. 2003;111(9):1280-1282. doi:10.1172/JCI18395 9. Briand J-P, Muller S. Emerging peptide therapeutics for inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16(9):1136-1142. doi:10.2174/138161210790963805 10. Zhang Y, Zhang H, Ghosh D, Williams RO III. Just how prevalent are peptide therapeutic products? A critical review. Int J Pharm. 2020;587:119491. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119491 11. Castelli MS, McGonigle P, Hornby PJ. The pharmacology and therapeutic applications of monoclonal antibodies. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2019;7(6):e00535. doi:10.1002/prp2.535