Description

Dihexa (developmental code PNB-0408; also known as N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide) is an oligopeptide drug derived from angiotensin IV that binds with high affinity to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and potentiates its activity at its receptor, c-Met.^[1][2] The compound has been found to potently improve cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease-like mental impairment.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]} In an assay of neurotrophic activity, dihexa was found to be seven orders of magnitude more potent than brain-derived neurotrophic factor.^[12]