Eldec Pharmaceuticals

Eldec Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops peptide-based therapies to treat lung infections/lung inflammation. Eldec is currently developing technology out-licensed from founder Rob Tarran’s lab at UNC. The Orai1 Ca2+ channel is a master regulator of the immune system. Dr. Tarran has developed a novel therapeutic that selectively and safely inhibits Orai1 in the lung lumen without affecting systemic immunity. Eldec’s lead development candidate, ELD607 is a fully-optimized peptidomimetic that negatively regulates Orai1 levels in lung immune cells. ELD607 exhibits beneficial immunomodulation function in a wide range of animal models of excessive inflammation and by preventing an exuberant immune response, helps clear pathogens from the lung. In addition, since Ca2+ also regulates viral replication, ELD607 has demonstrated potent anti-viral activity. Subsequent screening efforts have also identified ELD403, a naturally occurring sequence that has demonstrated potent anti-viral activity.