Claims for Patent: 7,084,245

Summary for Patent: 7,084,245

Title:	Peptides that bind to the erythropoietin receptor
Abstract:	The present invention relates to peptide compounds that are agonists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). The invention also relates to therapeutic methods using such peptide compounds to treat disorders associated with insufficient or defective red blood cell production. Pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise the peptide compounds of the invention, are also provided.
Inventor(s):	Holmes; Christopher P. (Saratoga, CA), Yin; Qun (Palo Alto, CA), Lalonde; Guy (Woodside, CA), Schatz; Peter J. (Cupertino, CA), Tumelty; David (Sunnyvale, CA), Palani; Balu (Cupertino, CA), Zemede; Genet (Santa Clara, CA)
Assignee:	Affymax, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA)
Application Number:	10/844,968
Patent Claims:	1. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00085## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) ["PEG"] comprises at least one linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, each PEG moiety having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 3. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 7. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 6, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 8. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00086## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol molecule having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 9. A compound according to claim 8, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 10. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 8. 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 8 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 14. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 13, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 15. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00087## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol molecule having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 16. A compound according to claim 15, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 17. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 15. 18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 15 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 21. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 20, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 22. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00088## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol molecule having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 23. A compound according to claim 22, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 24. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 22. 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 27. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 22 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 28. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 27, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 29. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00089## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol molecule having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 30. A compound according to claim 29, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 31. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 29. 32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 29 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 35. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 34, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 30,000 Daltons. 36. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00090## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol molecule having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 37. A compound according to claim 36, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 38. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 36. 39. A method according to claim 38 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 40. A method according to claim 38, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 41. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 36 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 42. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 41, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 43. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00091## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) ["PEG"] comprises at least two linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties linked at a single point of attachment and having a combined molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 60,000 Daltons. 44. A compound according to claim 43, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 45. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 43. 46. A method according to claim 45 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 47. A method according to claim 45, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 48. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 43 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 49. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 48, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 50. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00092## where (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises two linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties having a combined molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000 Daltons. 51. A compound according to claim 50, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 52. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 50. 53. A method according to claim 52 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 54. A method according to claim 52, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 55. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 50 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 56. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 55, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 57. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00093## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises two linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties having a combined molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000 Daltons. 58. A compound according to claim 57, wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 59. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 57. 60. A method according to claim 59 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 61. A method according to claim 59, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 62. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 57 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 63. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 62, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 64. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00094## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine, and MeG is N-methylglycine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises two linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties having a combined molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000 Daltons. 65. A compound according to claim 64, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 66. A method for treating a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, which method comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 64. 67. A method according to claim 66 wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of end stage renal failure or dialysis; anemia associated with AIDS, auto immune disease or a malignancy; beta-thalassemia; cystic fibrosis; early anemia of prematurity; anemia associated with chronic inflammatory disease; spinal cord injury; acute blood loss; aging; and neoplastic disease states accompanied by abnormal erythropoiesis. 68. A method according to claim 66, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 69. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 64 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 70. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 69, wherein each PEG has a molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. 71. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00095## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises a linear unbranched polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety having a molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 40,000 Daltons. 72. A compound that binds to and activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), which compound comprises a peptide dimer having the formula: ##STR00096## wherein (i) in each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer, each amino acid is indicated by standard one letter abbreviation, AcG is N-acetylglycine, and 1-nal is 1-naphthylalanine; (ii) each peptide monomer of the peptide dimer contains an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine (C) residues of each monomer (iii) PEG comprises two linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) moities having a combined molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 60,000 Daltons.