CONTEXT

The transport of substances through the plasma membrane and their access to intracellular compartments is a major problem in many therapies (anticancer, antiviral, for example). Peptide vectors referred to as cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have emerged as promising tools for the intracellular delivery of a large set of molecules (drugs, peptides, siRNA). However, the stability of these peptide compounds towards proteases involves a risk of rapid destruction of the conjugate vector-active molecule in vivo. As vectors, number of compounds are already available, nevertheless some points need to be resolved, including the bioavailability, toxicity, addressing specific intracellular compartments and feasibility at industrial level.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a new class of compounds able to penetrate living cells and to carry molecules of interest, such as drugs or biological probes. These compounds are small molecules consisting of constrained dipeptide mimic oligomers and were designed as vectors to mediate cell penetration.

BENEFITS

The mimes polypeptides or proteins described in the invention are more stable than their natural analogues in which they differ in structure, and size. In addition, an oligomer consisting in only a few monomers, linked to a molecule of interest is capable of crossing the plasma membrane.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

The main application of this invention is the development of new vectors for drug delivery in the treatment of several diseases, in particular cancer or  lysosomal diseases. More widely, these constrained dipeptide mimic oligomers could be used for the treatment of diseases associated with cell proliferation and cell differentiation.