CLINUVEL has identified a lead formulation from its VLRX L controlled-release injectable peptide platform and plans to progress it into further preclinical studies in the first quarter of 2027.
The company said the platform is being developed to provide flexible, controlled-release dosing of peptide medicines, potentially allowing treatment to be tailored through dose titration or adjustment for specific patient groups, including adolescents and children.
Following earlier encouraging peptide delivery findings, CLINUVEL assessed four VLRX L candidate formulations in preclinical models to validate in vitro results. One formulation produced a stronger release profile across the intended peptide delivery window, with lower peak plasma levels while maintaining detectable drug exposure throughout the period.
The candidate is now being refined at CLINUVEL’s VALLAURIX research, development and innovation centre in Singapore. Subject to final results, the company expects to undertake an additional preclinical study early next year, while beginning to scope manufacturing scale up.
CLINUVEL’s initial focus is melanocortins, a class of peptides that bind to five melanocortin receptors and are associated with melanogenesis, inflammation, libido and other functions.
“At the current stage of development with VLRX-L we were looking for an indication that our candidate formulations could control the release of a peptide in a pre-clinical model,” said Dr Dennis Wright, CLINUVEL’s Chief Scientific Officer. “This has now been demonstrated.”
“We now have clearer pathways that are being pursued for a range of peptides and we are working towards optimising these formulations. It is innovative work requiring much of our technical team, and we are encouraged by the data that have been generated to date,” Dr Wright added.
