Our lab in collaboration with Akkadian Therapeutics, Inc. (https://akkadiantherapeutics.com), has demonstrated the beneficial effects of the novel catalytic radical scavenger and nitric oxide donor/vasodilator, AKT-1005, in established in vitro and in vivo models of preeclampsia (PMID: 38136156, PMID: 37759628). However, the development of AKT-1005 as an intravenous or oral drug candidate is currently limited by its poor water solubility and sub-optimal pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics. To overcome these issues, we are synthesizing, and screening new water-soluble prodrugs of AKT-1005. Our goal is to evaluate their solubility, stability, and release of AKT-1005 in vitro and in vivo. This will allow us to select a developmental candidate that has favorable DMPK properties to demonstrate in vivo efficacy in an established rodent model of preeclampsia.
