Metablok (LSALT peptide) is our lead drug candidate for treating inflammation in the lungs, liver and kidneys. 

Arch believes Metablok has the potential to deliver a major breakthrough in the treatment of diseases where inflammation plays a major role. In August 2019, a scientific team led by Arch scientists Dr. Donna Senger and Dr. Stephen Robbins published a paper in the journal Cell  describing a novel mechanism of action for organ inflammation. In the publication, the enzyme dipeptidase-1 was identified as a major neutrophil (white blood cell) adhesion receptor on the lung, liver and kidney endothelium. In the same publication, dipeptidase-1 was shown to be the target of Metablok.

Arch is pursuing clinical development of Metablok to treat acute injury in the lungs, kidneys and liver caused by inflammation.

Arch is currently conducting a Phase II Trial to investigate Metablok’s efficacy in the prevention of multiple organ injuries in patients with COVID-19. Arch has announced that patient dosing in the United States and Turkey has begun. The trial is designed to target the prevention of acute lung injury, acute kidney injury and other complications caused by inflammation in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe cases of COVID-19. 

The Phase II trial is an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof of concept study of LSALT peptide (Metablok) as a treatment to prevent organ inflammation known to trigger acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

In the worst cases of COVID-19 infection, fatalities are often linked to severe acute lung inflammation and subsequent respiratory failure, or acute kidney injury and renal failure.

In March 2020, Arch announced that Metablok successfully met the primary endpoints of safety and tolerability in a Phase I Human Trial involving 52 healthy, normal volunteers. The placebo controlled, double blind study was conducted in Australia.