Harness the power of protection.

Praetego is developing novel therapies to protect surgical, neurotrauma, and diabetic patients.

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Praetego is a protective medicine company targeting the physiological threat of oxidative stress (OS).  We are developing new drugs to address Acute Kidney Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. These conditions share the pathology of OS.  Our drug candidates function as chemical protectants designed to reduce tissue and organ damage.

Oxidative stress is a disturbance in the body’s ability to manage harmful biochemical byproducts of oxygen metabolism. When not addressed, these byproducts can lead to tissue and organ damage.

Acute OS is linked to trauma and organ damage. Major surgery that interrupts blood flow (ischemia) can introduce oxidative stress and put organs like the kidney at risk. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) that interrupts blood flow to tissue can produce significant amounts of oxidative stress. This can increase complications after the initial injury.

Chronic OS is linked to aging, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s), heart disease, and diabetic complications. In diabetes, glucose reacts with proteins and lipids causing oxidative breakdown.  These harmful reactions damage blood vessels.  Glucose-initiated chronic OS leads to vision damage (retinopathy), kidney damage (nephropathy) and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).

Praetego’s drug candidates act as reinforcements to the body’s natural defenses and protect it from oxidative damage.

1. Pipeline

Clinical Ready Programs

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

AKI is a sudden loss of kidney function. It is an expensive and often devastating consequence of hospital care. This common complication affects about 1 in 5 hospitalized patients and is the leading cause of organ dysfunction and death. AKI can lead to chronic kidney disease, dialysis and death. Patients with existing chronic kidney disease have higher rates of dialysis and death. Regardless of the reason for hospitalization, experiencing AKI can significantly impact patient outcomes.

Oxidative stress is a principal early driver of renal injury in the common causes of AKI. For example, cardiac surgery can produce acute OS and damage kidneys. Praetego’s PimoxIV™ is an IV drug formulation designed to protect cardiac surgery patients from AKI. PimoxIV was accepted by the FDA as an Investigational New Drug (IND) in April of 2019.

The first human trial is scheduled to start Spring of 2019 followed by a small cardiac surgery trial late in 2019.

Preclinical Programs

Neurotrauma / Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI is a global challenge with an estimated 10 million people experiencing a TBI each year. In the U.S., treating TBI is an estimated $40 billion a year.  Data now shows that a single mild concussion can have significant long-term consequences. Military service and contact sports carry a much higher risk for TBI. TBI produces a biochemical response and a metabolic response. Research shows that oxidative stress is active in both.

Praetego is developing new drugs to treat TBI by ameliorating oxidative stress on brain tissue. We are also exploring the possibility of prevention for high risk populations.  

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

DPN is the damage that effects the nerves in the hands and feet of diabetics. About 50% of diabetics develop DPN. For many it eventually causes pain. Chronic hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose) generates oxidative stress which can cause nerve damage.

Praetego is targeting the root cause of the damage (oxidative stress), rather than treating the resulting pain. Our drug candidates demonstrated proof of concept by reversing  the physiological and functional deficits of early nerve damage in an animal model of DPN.

2. About

Founded in 2017, Praetego is a developmental stage drug company focused on the threat of oxidative stress.

We are developing agents to protect patients from acute injury and chronic diseases exacerbated by oxidative stress. Our family of candidates, the Amadorins, function as chemical protectants against oxidative damage.

Team Members

Our leadership team has extensive technical and operational experience in developmental stage drug companies.

Pepper Landson
CEO & Co-Founder

Pepper is a 27-year pharma veteran. She played a pivotal role in the launch of a publicly traded company and has a strong record in creating value in developmental stage companies. With demonstrated product commitment, she is executing a synergistic strategic plan for Praetego’s pipeline.

Raja G. Khalifah, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer

Raja is a broadly trained chemist and biochemist who transitioned from academia to directing research at three startups founded on discoveries from his research. Experienced in medicinal chemistry and drug design, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, and preclinical and clinical studies. Primary co-inventor on 15 issued US patents in related fields.

Peter C. Johnson, MD
Chief Medical Officer

Peter is both an accomplished surgeon and clinical researcher. His career is complemented by successful entrepreneurial endeavors in the space of regenerative medicine and biomedical technology.

Richard McGivney, CPA
‍Chief Financial Officer

Richard brings over 30 years of experience in public accounting, corporate finance and leadership. His life sciences company experience includes all stages of growth. He maintains a thorough understanding of Federal government contracting including DOD and DHHS (NIH) opportunities.

Robert C. Peterson, RAC
‍Director of Regulatory Affairs

Robert is a West Point graduate with over 32 years of successful product development experience and numerous interactions with the Cardio-Renal division at the FDA.

Clinical Advisory Board

Our Clinical Advisory Board includes renowned experts providing guidance in cardio-renal protection, nephrology and critical care.

Peter McCullough, MD, MPH
‍Vice Chief of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center

George Bakris, MD
‍Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago

Andrew Shaw, MB, FRCA, FFICM, FCCM, Medical License (UK)
‍Chief of Anesthesiology, University of Alberta

Jamie Dwyer, MD
‍Professor of Medicine / Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

For Investors

Our patent portfolio offers robust protection for our candidates and programs. Praetego is currently raising a Series A round to fund the development plan.

3. News

Praetego Initiates Clinical Development

Durham, NC, April 25, 2019 — Praetego Inc. received a green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start human trials with PimoxIV™ for Cardiac Surgery Induced – Acute Kidney Injury (CS-AKI). As an Investigational New Drug (IND), PimoxIV is intended for Chronic Kidney Disease patients who are at elevated risk for CS-AKI. PimoxIV is an infusion administered before, during, and after cardiac bypass surgery to minimize kidney insult. PimoxIV’s first trial is a dose escalation study scheduled to start this Spring. This will be followed by a small cardiac surgery trial late in 2019.
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4. Contact

Address
701 W. Main Street
Suite 200
Durham, NC 27701

Praetego is pleased to be a resident of the BioLabs life sciences incubator facility in the historic Chesterfield Building in Durham, NC.

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info@praetego.com
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