Athrú means transformation in Irish. We combine deep knowledge of GPCR biology with therapeutic innovation to advance peptide medicines for endocrine and metabolic diseases.
Our core focus is innovative therapies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involved in endocrine and metabolic diseases.
We primarily target somatostatin receptors, which mediate the actions of the peptide hormone somatostatin. By regulating hormone release and cell growth, these receptors play important roles in endocrine physiology and are established therapeutic targets for endocrine disorders and neuroendocrine tumours.
THE OPPORTUNITY IN SOMATOSTATIN RECEPTORS
Somatostatin acts through five receptor subtypes (SSTR1–SSTR5), with distinct tissue-expression patterns and overlapping but different physiological roles. Understanding these differences helps guide the design of therapies that selectively target the receptor subtypes most relevant to a disease.
Experimental structures now span all five somatostatin receptor subtypes, revealing how ligands bind and helping guide the design of more selective therapies.
Emerald: engineered somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), a peptide-responsive GPCR.
Coral: octreotide, a cyclic peptide.
Rendered directly from deposited experimental coordinates. Receptor chain R and peptide chain P are shown; the other proteins in the complex are omitted for clarity.
Robertson et al., Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2022).
PDB entry & experimental data ↗Explore in interactive 3D ↗METABOLIC DISEASES
Exploring opportunities for therapies directed at peptide receptors involved in metabolic disease.
ENDOCRINE CONDITIONS
Endocrine tumours are a key area of interest within our broader endocrine focus, particularly where peptide receptor biology offers a rationale for therapeutic innovation.
03 — OUR VISION
