Development of Peptide Biopharmaceuticals in Russia.

Peptides are low-molecular-weight substances that participate in numerous important physiological functions, such as human growth and development, stress, regulation of the emotional state, sexual behavior, and immune responses. Their mechanisms of action are based on receptor-ligand interactions, which result in highly selective effects. These properties and low toxicity enable them to be considered potent drugs.

Thymodepressin-Unforeseen Immunosuppressor.

The paper summarizes the available information concerning the biological properties and biomedical applications of Thymodepressin. This synthetic peptide drug displays pronounced immunoinhibitory activity across a wide range of conditions in vitro and in vivo. The history of its unforeseen discovery is briefly reviewed, and the current as well as potential expansion areas of medicinal practice are outlined.