CD-NP, a chimeric natriuretic peptide for the treatment of heart failure.

In development by Nile Therapeutics Inc, under license from the Mayo Foundation, CD-NP is a chimeric natriuretic peptide in which the 15-amino acid C-terminal tail of Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide is fused to the 22-amino acid human C-type natriuretic peptide. The rationale for its design was to create a peptide with the beneficial cardiovascular and renal effects of native natriuretic peptides, but without a clinically significant hypotensive response. CD-NP is able to bind to all three natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR-A, NPR-B and NPR-C) and, therefore, is unique in being able to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate production downstream of both NPR-A and NPR-B. Animal studies and human trials demonstrated that CD-NP is safe and improves cardiovascular and renal function without inducing significant levels of hypotension. Preliminary data also suggest improved renal function in human heart failure patients. Ongoing clinical trials are needed to further validate CD-NP as an effective treatment option for heart failure.