| Screening | Larger variety of peptides | Peptide arrays for increased diversity
New natural lead molecules
Peptide-like (mimetic) approaches
Non-natural amino acids
Screen for both antimicrobial and immune-modulating activities |
| Toxicity | Understand mechanisms of toxicity | Toxicology in animal models
Assess subtle toxicities
Toxicogenomics |
| Pharmacology | Improve half-life in vivo | Peptidomimetics
Modified and/or d-amino acids
New formulations (for example, liposomal)
Immune-modulating peptides may not require regular dosing |
| Cost of goods | Lower the cost of expensive therapeutics | Make shorter analogs that work
Recombinant manufacturing processes
Natural sources (for example, lantibiotics)
Immune-modulating peptides may require smaller doses
Local administration |
| Efficacy | Improve activities in the context of model infections | Realistic animal models of disease
In vitro assays should match in vivo realities (for example, physiological conditions)
Develop in vitro methods of predicting effective immune modulation |
