A hormone that regulates the production of red blood cells now comes in a synthetic version. The lab-made hormone could treat anemia in patients with cancer or kidney failure.
Known as erythropoietin (EPO), the natural protein is made in people's kidneys and is already available as a drug. However, most of this supply is made through genetic engineering techniques. Animal studies indicate that the new chemically manufactured EPO variant, called synthetic erythropoiesis protein (SEP), may work better in patients than the genetically engineered drug does, says Gerd Kochendoerfer of Gryphon Therapeutics in South San Francisco, Calif.