WO2017011820A2 - Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases - Google Patents

Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017011820A2
WO2017011820A2 PCT/US2016/042680 US2016042680W WO2017011820A2 WO 2017011820 A2 WO2017011820 A2 WO 2017011820A2 US 2016042680 W US2016042680 W US 2016042680W WO 2017011820 A2 WO2017011820 A2 WO 2017011820A2
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Prior art keywords
phe
pen
lys
nal
aminoethoxy
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PCT/US2016/042680
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English (en)
French (fr)
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WO2017011820A3 (en
Inventor
Ashok Bhandari
Gregory BOURNE
Xiaoli Cheng
Brian Troy FREDERICK
Jie Zhang
Dinesh V. Patel
David Liu
Original Assignee
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
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Priority claimed from PCT/US2015/040658 external-priority patent/WO2016011208A1/en
Priority to AU2016293619A priority Critical patent/AU2016293619B2/en
Application filed by Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. filed Critical Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
Priority to MX2018000542A priority patent/MX2018000542A/es
Priority to UAA201801482A priority patent/UA123772C2/uk
Priority to CA2991984A priority patent/CA2991984A1/en
Priority to KR1020187004612A priority patent/KR102513978B1/ko
Priority to EP16825301.1A priority patent/EP3341011A4/en
Priority to BR112018000691A priority patent/BR112018000691A2/pt
Priority to JP2018501178A priority patent/JP6858174B2/ja
Priority to EA201890325A priority patent/EA035733B9/ru
Priority to CN201680049562.2A priority patent/CN108348580B/zh
Priority to US15/745,371 priority patent/US10787490B2/en
Priority to CR20180029A priority patent/CR20180029A/es
Publication of WO2017011820A2 publication Critical patent/WO2017011820A2/en
Publication of WO2017011820A3 publication Critical patent/WO2017011820A3/en
Priority to PH12018500086A priority patent/PH12018500086A1/en
Priority to DO2018000010A priority patent/DOP2018000010A/es
Priority to IL256827A priority patent/IL256827A/en
Priority to NI201800008A priority patent/NI201800008A/es
Priority to CONC2018/0000349A priority patent/CO2018000349A2/es
Priority to ECIEPI20182929A priority patent/ECSP18002929A/es
Priority to SV2018005614A priority patent/SV2018005614A/es
Priority to HK19100122.0A priority patent/HK1257747A1/zh
Priority to HK19101174.5A priority patent/HK1259149A1/zh

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
    • C07K7/06—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 5 to 11 amino acids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/48—Preparations in capsules, e.g. of gelatin, of chocolate
    • A61K9/50—Microcapsules having a gas, liquid or semi-solid filling; Solid microparticles or pellets surrounded by a distinct coating layer, e.g. coated microspheres, coated drug crystals
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K7/00—Peptides having 5 to 20 amino acids in a fully defined sequence; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K7/04—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links
    • C07K7/08—Linear peptides containing only normal peptide links having 12 to 20 amino acids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to novel peptide inhibitors of the interleukin-23 receptor, and their use to treat or prevent a variety of diseases and disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and psoriasis.
  • the interleukin-23 (IL-23) cytokine has been implicated as playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation and related diseases and disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), e.g., ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
  • IBDs inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Studies in acute and chronic mouse models of IBD revealed a primary role of IL-23R and downstream effector cytokines in disease pathogenesis.
  • IL-23R is expressed on various adaptive and innate immune cells including Thl 7 cells, ⁇ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and innate lymphoid cells, which are found abundantly in the intestine. At the intestine mucosal surface, the gene expression and protein levels of IL-23R are found to be elevated in IBD patients. It is believed that IL-23 mediates this effect by promoting the development of a pathogenic CD4 T cell population that produces IL-6, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
  • TNF tumor necrosis factor
  • IL-23 is enriched in the intestine, where it is believed to play a key role in regulating the balance between tolerance and immunity through T-cell-dependent and T-cell- independent pathways of intestinal inflammation through effects on T-helper 1 (Thl) and Thl7- associated cytokines, as well as restraining regulatory T-cell responses in the gut, favoring inflammation.
  • Thl T-helper 1
  • Thl7- associated cytokines T-helper 1
  • IL-23R polymorphisms in the IL-23 receptor
  • Psoriasis a chronic skin disease affecting about 2%-3% of the general population has been shown to be mediated by the body's T cell inflammatory response mechanisms.
  • 11-23 has one of several interleukins implicated as a key player in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, purportedly by maintaining chronic autoimmune inflammation via the induction of interleukin- 17, regulation of T memory cells, and activation of macrophages.
  • Expression of IL-23 and IL- 23R has been shown to be increased in tissues of patients with psoriasis, and antibodies that neutralize IL-23 showed IL-23 -dependent inhibition of psoriasis development in animal models of psoriasis.
  • IL-23 is a heterodimer composed of a unique pi 9 subunit and the p40 subunit of IL-12, which is a cytokine involved in the development of interferon- ⁇ (IFN-y)-producing T helper 1 (THI) cells.
  • IFN-y interferon- ⁇
  • T helper 1 T helper 1
  • IL-23 and IL-12 both contain the p40 subunit, they have different phenotypic properties. For example, animals deficient in IL-12 are susceptible to inflammatory autoimmune diseases, whereas IL-23 deficient animals are resistant, presumably due to a reduced number of CD4 + T cells producing IL-6, IL-17, and TNF in the CNS of IL-23 -deficient animals.
  • IL-23 binds to IL-23R, which is a heterodimeric receptor composed of IL-12Rpi and IL-23R subunits. Binding of IL-23 to IL-23R activates the Jak-stat signaling molecules, Jak2, Tyk2, and Statl, Stat 3, Stat 4, and Stat 5, although Stat4 activation is substantially weaker and different DNA-binding Stat complexes form in response to IL-23 as compared with IL-12. IL-23R associates constitutively with Jak2 and in a ligand-dependent manner with Stat3. In contrast to IL-12, which acts mainly on naive CD4(+) T cells, IL-23 preferentially acts on memory CD4(+) T cells.
  • Efforts have been made to identify therapeutic moieties that inhibit the IL-23 pathway, for use in treating IL-23-related diseases and disorders.
  • a number of antibodies that bind to IL- 23 or IL-23R have been identified, including ustekinumab, a humanized antibody that binds IL- 23, which has been approved for the treatment of psoriasis.
  • polypeptide inhibitors that bind to IL-23R and inhibit the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R have been identified (see, e.g., US Patent Application Publication No. US2013/0029907).
  • IL-23 pathway which may be used to treat and prevent IL-23 -asociated diseases, including those associated with autoimmune inflammation in the intestinal tract.
  • compounds and methods for specific targeting of IL-23R from the luminal side of the gut may provide therapeutic benefit to IBD patients suffering from local inflammation of the intestinal tissue.
  • novel peptide inhibitors that bind IL-23R to inhibit IL-23 binding and signaling and which are suitable for oral administration.
  • the present invention provides inter alia novel peptide inhibitors of IL-23R and related methods of use.
  • the present invention provides a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Xa): X1-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-X11 -X12- X13 -X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Xa), wherein:
  • XI, X2 and X3 are any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5, X6, X7 and X8 are any amino acid;
  • X9 is any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X10, X11 , X12, X13, X14 and X15 are any amino acid; and
  • X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are any amino acid or absent; wherein the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a bond between X4 and X9, and wherein the peptide inhibitor inhibits the binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to an IL-23 receptor.
  • IL-23 interleukin-23
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choropropanoic acid, 4-chlorobutyric acid, 3-chloroisobutyric acid, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2- (3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, 2-(5'- hexenyl)glycine, or Abu;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Arg, Orn, Val, phAla, Lys(Ac), (D)Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Phe, (D)Thr, Ala, a-MeLeu, Aib, ⁇ -Ala, ⁇ -Glu, phLeu, phVal, ⁇ -spiro-pip, Cha, Chg, Asp, Dab, Dap, a-Diethyl
  • the bond is a disulfide bond, a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole ring, a selenoether bond, a diselenide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • X4 is Cys and X9 is Cys, and the bond is a disulfide bond.
  • X4 is Pen and X9 is Pen, and the bond is a disulfide bond.
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X10 is Phe, Tyr, a Phe analog, or a Tyr analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 1 -Nal or 2-Nal; and
  • X12 is Aib, a-Me-Lys, a-Me-Leu, Ache, Acvc, Acpc, Acbc or THP.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises any of the following the amino acid sequences: Pen-Q-T-W-Q-Pen- [Phe(4-OMe)] - [2-Nal] - [a-Me-Lys] -E-N-G; Pen-N-T-W-Q- [Pen]- [Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)] - [2-Nal] - [ Aib]- [Ly s(Ac)] -N-N; Pen-Q-T- W-Q- [Pen] - [Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] - [2- Nal]-[a-MeLeu]-[Lys(Ac)]-N-N; or Pen-Q-T-W-Q-[Pen]-[Phe(4-CONH 2 )]-[2-Nal]-[a-MeLys]- [Lys(Ac)]-N-N, wherein
  • peptide inhibitors of Xa is an amino acid, aliphatic acid, alicyclic acid or modified 2- methyl aromatic acid having a carbon side chain capable of forming a thioether bind with X9;
  • X9 is a sulfur-containing amino acid capable of forming a thioether bond with X4, and the bond between X4 and X9 is a thioether bond.
  • X4 is Abu, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto- butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-chloro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3-chloro- isobutyric acid; and X9 is Abu, Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, or D-hCys.In certain embodiments, X4 is Abu; and X9 is Cys.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises any of the following amino acid sequences: [Abu]- Q-T-W-Q-C-[Phe(4-OMe)]-[2-Nal]-[a-MeLys]-E-N-G; [Abu]-Q-T-W-Q-C-[Phe(4-(2- aminoethoxy))]-W-[a-MeLys]-E-N-G; or [Abu]-Q-T-W-Q-C-[Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]]-[2- Nal]-[4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran]-E-N-N, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises a thioether bond between the Abu and the C.
  • X4 is Pen, Cys or hCys
  • X5 is any amino acid
  • X6 is any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, Bip, Gin, His, Glu(Bzl), 4-Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N- MeTrp, a-Me-Trp, 1,2,3,4 -tetrahydro-norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4- Dimethoxy), Phe(4-CF 3 ), Phe(4-tBu), ⁇ -diPheAla, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or Octgly, or
  • the bond between X4 and X9 is a disulfide bond.
  • XI, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X17, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or both of X4 or X9 is Pen.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • X18 is (D)-Lys.
  • the peptide inhibitors comprise one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of the following: X5 is Arg, Asn, Gin, Dap, Orn; X6 is Thr or Ser; X7 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-OAllyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, a-MeTrp or 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydro-norharman; and X8 is Gin, Val, Phe, Glu, Lys.
  • the peptide inhibitors comprise one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following:
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4- (2aminoethoxy)) or Phe(4-guanadino);
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-OAllyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, a-MeTrp
  • X4 and X9 are Pen; X5 is Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe) or 2-Nal; X11 is Trp, 2-Nal or 1-Nal; X12 is Arg, aMeLys or a- MeOrn; X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac); X14 is Phe or Asn; X15 is Gly; and X16 is absent. In certain embodiments, one or more of XI, X2 and X3 are absent; and one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu, Pen, or Cys
  • X7 is Trp, Bip, Gin, His, Glu(Bzl), 4-Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, oc-MeTrp, 1,2,3,4 -tetrahydro- norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Dimethoxy), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ -diPheAla, Phe(4-tBu), Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or Octgly, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9.
  • one or more of XI, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • one or more of X17, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one of X4 or X9 is Abu, and the other of X4 or X9 is not Abu.
  • the peptide inhibitors comprise one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of the following: X5 is Arg, Gin, Dap or Orn; X6 is Thr or Ser; X7 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-OAllyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-Me), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp,
  • the peptide inhibitors comprise one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following:
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-(2aminoethoxy)) or Phe(4- guanadino);
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-OAllyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, a-MeT
  • X4 and X9 are Pen. In particular embodiments, X4 and X9 form a disulfide bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • X4 and X9 form a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 365-370, 857-1029.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a bond between X4 and X9, and the peptide inhibitor inhibits the binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to an IL-23 receptor.
  • IL-23 interleukin-23
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in any of Formulas (V), (Va), (Vb), (Vc), (Vd), (Ve), (Vf), (Vg) and (Vh).
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises any of the following amino acid sequences:
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a disulfide bond between two Pen residues or by a thioether bond between Abu and a Cys residue, and wherein the peptide inhibitor inhibits the binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to an IL-23 receptor.
  • IL-23 interleukin-23
  • any of the peptide inhibitors described herein comprise one or more half-life extension moiety and/or one or more linker moiety conjugated to the peptide inhibitor.
  • the half-life extension moiety is conjugated to the peptide inhibitor via one or more linker moieties.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors described hereinfurther comprise a conjugated chemical substituent.
  • the conjugated chemical substituent is a lipophilic substituent or a polymeric moiety, e.g., Ac, Palm, gamaGlu-Palm, isoGlu-Palm, PEG2-Ac, PEG4-isoGlu-Palm, (PEG) 5 -Palm, succinic acid, glutaric acid, pyroglutaric acid, benzoic acid, IV A, octanoic acid, 1,4 diaminobutane, isobutyl, or biotin.
  • the conjugated chemical substituent is a polyethylene glycol with a molecular mass of 400 Da to 40,000 Da.
  • the present invention includes peptide inhibitors comprising the structure of Formula I:
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C1-C20 alkanoyl, and including PEGylated versions alone or as spacers of any of the foregoing;
  • R 2 is a bond, OH or NH 2 ;
  • X is any of the peptide sequences described herein, e.g., Xa, I, la-It, II, Ila-IId, III, Illa-IIIe, IV, IVa-IVb, V, or Va-Vh.
  • the present invention includes a peptide dimer inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, wherein the peptide dimer inhibitor comprises two peptide monomer subunits connected via one or more linker moieties, wherein each peptide monomer subunit has a sequence or structure set forth herein.
  • one or both peptide monomer subunit is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9.
  • one or both intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond, a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a selenoether, diselenide, or an olefin bond.
  • the linker is any of those shown in Table 2 or described herein.
  • the linker moiety is a diethylene glycol linker, an iminodiacetic acid (IDA) linker, a ⁇ -Ala-iminodiaceticacid ( ⁇ -Ala-IDA) linker, or a PEG linker.
  • the N-terminus of each peptide monomer subunit is connected by the linker moiety.
  • the C-terminus of each peptide monomer subunit is connected by the linker moiety.
  • the linker connects an internal amino acid residue of at least one of the peptide monomer subunits to the N-terminus, C-terminus, or an internal amino acid residue of the other peptide monomer subunit.
  • the present invention includes a polynucleotide comprising a sequence encoding a peptide inhibitor of the present invention or one or both peptide monomer subunit of a peptide dimer inhibitor of the present invention.
  • the present invention also includes a vector comprising the polynucleotide.
  • the present invention includes a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide inhibitor or a peptide dimer inhibitor of the present invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.
  • the pharmaceutical composition comprises an enteric coating.
  • the enteric coating protects and releases the pharmaceutical composition within a subject's lower gastrointestinal system.
  • the present invention includes a method for treating or preventing a disease associated with IL-23 signalling, including but not limited to an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease ⁇ nontropical Sprue), enteropathy associated with seronegative arthropathies, microscopic colitis, collagenous colitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, colitis associated with radio- or chemo-therapy, colitis associated with disorders of innate immunity as in leukocyte adhesion deficiency- 1 , chronic granulomatous disease, glycogen storage disease type lb, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, and Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, pouchitis resulting after proctocolectomy and ileoanal anastomosis, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatitis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, mastitis, cholecystitis, cho
  • the inflammatory bowel disease is ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
  • the peptide inhibitor or the peptide dimer inhibitor inhibits binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R).
  • the pharmaceutical composition is provided to the subject by an oral, intravenous, peritoneal, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intrathecal, inhalation, vaporization, nebulization, sublingual, buccal, parenteral, rectal, intraocular, inhalation, vaginal, or topical route of administration.
  • the pharmaceutical composition is provided orally for treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease.
  • IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • the pharmaceutical composition is provided to the subject topically, parenterally, intravenously, subcutaneously, peritonealy, or intravenously for treating psoriasis.
  • FIG. 1 Figure 1 provides an example of a rat IL-23 dose-response curve as measured by levels of IL-17A in the rat splenoctye assay.
  • Figure 2 is a graph showing IL-12-dependent production of IFNy from human PBMCs treated with the indicated amounts of Compound A or Compound B.
  • Figure 3 shows results for DAI values from Day 7. Statistical analysis for significance was determined using Student's t-test (GraphPad Prism). Differences were noted as signficant *p ⁇ 0.05, **p ⁇ 0.01, ***p ⁇ 0.001, ****p ⁇ 0.0001.
  • Figure 4 shows an alignment of the amino acid sequences of human IL23R, mouse IL- 23R, rat IL23R, chimp IL-23R, dog IL-23R and cow IL-23R, with highly conserved amino acid residues shaded.
  • the region of mouse IL-23R lacking in the other IL-23R species shown is shown, and a region of IL23R that may be bound by certain peptide inhibitors of the present invention is indicated by a dashed line.
  • Figure 5 is a table outlining the study design for TNBS induced colitis in rats.
  • Figures 6A-6D are graphs showing colon weight to length (Figure 6A), colon wall thickness (Table 6B, colon macroscopic score (Table 6C) or myeloperoxidase (MPO) abundance in proximal colon extracts quantified by ELISA, following sham treatment, vehicle treatment, or treatment with the indicated amounts of anti-IL23pl9 antibody or Compound C. Values are shown as mean +SD. Statistical significance assessed by one-way ANOVA: * ⁇ 0.05; ** ⁇ 0.01 ; ***p ⁇ 0.001; ****p ⁇ 0.0001 ; ns, not significant.
  • Figure 7 provides micrographs of colon lesions found in animals following sham treatment (upper left panel), vehicle treatment (upper right panel) showing transmural inflammation, presence of necrotic tissue, and mucosa devoid of crypts, anti-IL23pl9 antibody (lower left panel), or 160 mg/kg/d Compound C (lower right panel) showing restriction of lesions to the mucosa.
  • Figures 8A-8E are graphs showing inflammation (Figure 8A), mucosal necrosis (Figure 8B), grand loss ( Figure 8C), colon wall thickness ( Figure 8D) and histological score (Figure 8E) following vehicle treatment, treatment with anti-IL23pl9 antibody, or treatment with the indicated amount of Compound C
  • Figure 9 shows the concentration of Compound C in the plasma and proximal colon determined one hour post last PO dose (left panel), and fold above IC75 of its activity as determined by the rat splenocyte assay (middle panel) and the rat IL23R ELISA assay (right panel).
  • Figure 10 provides a schematic diagram depicting the structure of certain peptide inhibitors and illustrating representative types of bonds between X4 and X9.
  • FIGS. 11A-11E show pharmacokinetic data for the IL-23R peptide inhibitor Peptide 993 (SEQ ID NO: 993).
  • FIG. 11A shows the concentration of Peptide 993 in serum (nM) measured at different time points up to 24 hours after oral administration of Peptide 993.
  • FIGS. 1 lB-1 ID show the concentration of Peptide 993 (in nM) in samples taken from the Peyer's Patch (FIG. 11B), small intestine (FIG. 11C), and the colon (FIG. 11D). The dashed line indicates 350 mM.
  • Fig 1 IE shows the amount of Peptide 993 detected in feces 24 hours after oral administration (% dose).
  • FIGS. 12A-12D summarize experiments comparing systemic treatments with prodnisolone or anti-IL-23pl9 neutralizing antibody with treatment with Peptide 993 by oral administration in the TNBS model of acute colitis.
  • FIG. 12A shows the change in body weight (percentage) from day 0 to day 7 from sham, vehicle, and Peptide 993 treated rats.
  • FIG. 12B shows the ratio of colon weight to colon length in mg/cm of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIG. 12C shows the colon macroscopic score of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIG. 12D shows the sum of histopathology scores for colons taken from sham, vehicle, and Peptide 993 treated rats.
  • FIGS. 13A-13C summarizes experiments comparing systemic treatments with prednisolone or anti-IL-23pl9 neutralizing antibody with treatment with Peptide 1185 by oral administration in the TNBS model of acute colitis.
  • FIG. 13A shows the change in body weight (percentage) from day 0 to day 7 from sham, vehicle, and Peptide 1185 treated rats.
  • FIG. 13B shows the ratio of colon weight to colon length in mg/cm of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIG. 13C shows the colon macroscopic score of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIGS. 14A-14D summarizes experiments comparing systemic treatments with prednisolone or anti-IL-23pl9 neutralizing antibody with treatment with Peptide 980 by oral administration in the TNBS model of acute colitis.
  • FIG. 14A shows the change in body weight (percentage) from day 0 to day 7 from sham, vehicle, and Peptide 980 treated rats.
  • FIG. 14B shows the ratio of colon weight to colon length in mg/cm of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIG. 13C shows the colon macroscopic score of colons harvested from rats at day 7.
  • FIG. 14D shows the sum of histopathology scores for colons taken from sham, vehicle, and Peptide 980 treated rats.
  • FIGS. 15A-15E show levels of disease and IL-23 directed biomarkers measured in colons from rats in the sham (not TNBS-exposed) experimental group, or TNBS-exposed experimental groups that received treatment with vehicle or Peptide 993. Data is shown for MPO (FIG. 15 A), IL-6 (FIG. 15B), IL-1 beta (FIG. 15C), IL-22 (FIG. 15D), and IL-17A (FIG.15E).
  • FIGS. 16A-16B show levels of disease and IL-23 directed biomarkers measured in colons from rats in the sham (not TNBS-exposed) experimental group, or TNBS-exposed experimental groups that received treatment with vehicle or Peptide 980. Data is shown for MPO (FIG. 16A) and IL-22 (FIG. 16B). For all experiments, statistical comparisons between groups were performed with a 1-Way ANOVA followed by a post hoc test: * p ⁇ 0.05; ** p ⁇ 0.01 ; *** p ⁇ 0.001 ; **** p ⁇ 0.0001 ; ns, not significant
  • FIGS. 17A-17D show Schild analysis of inhibitor peptides.
  • FIG. 17A shows a graph depicting the % Emax response as a function of increasing concentrations of IL-23 in the presence of Peptide 993 in concentrations of 0 nM (closed circles), 0.3 nM (closed squares), 1 nM (triangles), 3 nM (inverted triangles), 10 nM (diamonds), 30 nM (open circles), or 100 nM (open squares). Properties of the curves are listed below the graph.
  • FIG. 17A shows a graph depicting the % Emax response as a function of increasing concentrations of IL-23 in the presence of Peptide 993 in concentrations of 0 nM (closed circles), 0.3 nM (closed squares), 1 nM (triangles), 3 nM (inverted triangles), 10 nM (diamonds), 30 nM (open circles), or 100 nM (open squares
  • FIG. 17B depicts results from the same set of experiments, and shows a graph displaying Log(dose ratio "1 ) as a function of Peptide 993 concentration (M) on a logarithmic scale. Properties of the resulting linear function are displayed below the graph.
  • FIG. 17C shows a graph depicting the % Emax response as a function of increasing concentrations of IL-23 in the presence of the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1169 in concentrations of 0 nM (closed circles), 0.3 nM (closed squares), 1 nM (triangles), 3 nM (inverted triangles), 10 nM (diamonds), 30 nM (open circles), or 100 nM (open squares). Properties of the curves are listed below the graph.
  • FIG. 17D shows a graph depicting the % Emax response as a function of increasing concentrations of IL-23 in the presence of the peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1211 in concentrations of 0 nM (closed circles), 0.3 nM (closed squares), 1 nM (triangles), 3 nM (inverted triangles), 10 nM (diamonds), 30 nM (open circles), or 100 nM (open squares). Properties of the curves are listed below the graph.
  • FIGS. 18A-18B show pharmacokinetic data for the IL-23R peptide inhibitor Peptide 1185.
  • FIG. 18A shows the concentration of Peptide 1185 in serum and in samples taken from small intestine and the colon.
  • Fig 18B shows the amount of Peptide 1185 detected in urine and feces 24 hours after oral administration (% dose).
  • FIGS. 19A and 19B show pharmacokinetic data for the IL-23R peptide inhibitor Peptide 980.
  • FIG. 19A shows the concentration of Peptide 980 in serum and in samples taken from small intestine and the colon.
  • Fig 19B shows the amount of Peptide 980 detected in urine and feces 24 hours after oral administration (% dose).
  • patient may be used interchangeably and refer to either a human or a non-human animal. These terms include mammals such as humans, primates, livestock animals (e.g., bovines, porcines), companion animals (e.g., canines, felines) and rodents (e.g., mice and rats).
  • livestock animals e.g., bovines, porcines
  • companion animals e.g., canines, felines
  • rodents e.g., mice and rats.
  • peptide refers broadly to a sequence of two or more amino acids joined together by peptide bonds. It should be understood that this term does not connote a specific length of a polymer of amino acids, nor is it intended to imply or distinguish whether the polypeptide is produced using recombinant techniques, chemical or enzymatic synthesis, or is naturally occurring.
  • sequence identity refers to the extent that sequences are identical on a nucleotide-by-nucleotide basis or an amino acid-by-amino acid basis over a window of comparison.
  • a "percentage of sequence identity” may be calculated by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over the window of comparison, determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base (e.g., A, T, C, G, I) or the identical amino acid residue (e.g., Ala, Pro, Ser, Thr, Gly, Val, Leu, He, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys, Arg, His, Asp, Glu, Asn, Gin, Cys and Met) occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison (i.e., the window size), and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity.
  • the identical nucleic acid base e.g., A, T, C, G, I
  • the identical amino acid residue e.g., Ala, Pro, Ser, Thr, Gly, Val, Leu, He, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys, Arg,
  • sequence similarity or sequence identity between sequences can be performed as follows.
  • the sequences can be aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes).
  • the length of a reference sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of the length of the reference sequence.
  • amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position.
  • the percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences.
  • the comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm.
  • the percent identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman and Wunsch, (1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 444-453) algorithm which has been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package, using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
  • the percent identity between two nucleotide sequences is determined using the GAP program in the GCG software package, using an NWSgapdna.CMP matrix and a gap weight of 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
  • Another exemplary set of parameters includes a Blossum 62 scoring matrix with a gap penalty of 12, a gap extend penalty of 4, and a frameshift gap penalty of 5.
  • the percent identity between two amino acid or nucleotide sequences can also be determined using the algorithm of E. Meyers and W. Miller (1989, Cabios, 4: 11-17) which has been incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0), using a P AMI 20 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4.
  • Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al. (Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402, 1997).
  • the default parameters of the respective programs e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST can be used.
  • substitution denotes that one or more amino acids are replaced by another, biologically similar residue. Examples include substitution of amino acid residues with similar characteristics, e.g., small amino acids, acidic amino acids, polar amino acids, basic amino acids, hydrophobic amino acids and aromatic amino acids. See, for example, the table below.
  • one or more Met residues are substituted with norleucine (Nle) which is a bioisostere for Met, but which, as opposed to Met, is not readily oxidized.
  • Another example of a conservative substitution with a residue normally not found in endogenous, mammalian peptides and proteins is the conservative substitution of Arg or Lys with, for example, ornithine, canavanine, aminoethylcysteine or another basic amino acid.
  • one or more cysteines of a peptide analogue of the invention may be substituted with another residue, such as a serine.
  • conservative substitutions of amino acids are grouped by physicochemical properties. I: neutral, hydrophilic, II: acids and amides, III: basic, IV: hydrophobic, V: aromatic, bulky amino acids.
  • amino acid or "any amino acid” as used here refers to any and all amino acids, including naturally occurring amino acids (e.g., a-amino acids), unnatural amino acids, modified amino acids, and non-natural amino acids. It includes both D- and L-amino acids. Natural amino acids include those found in nature, such as, e.g., the 23 amino acids that combine into peptide chains to form the building-blocks of a vast array of proteins. These are primarily L stereoisomers, although a few D-amino acids occur in bacterial envelopes and some antibiotics. The 20 "standard,” natural amino acids are listed in the above tables.
  • non-standard natural amino acids are pyrrolysine (found in methanogenic organisms and other eukaryotes), selenocysteine (present in many noneukaryotes as well as most eukaryotes), and N- formylmethionine (encoded by the start codon AUG in bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts).
  • "Unnatural” or “non-natural” amino acids are non-proteinogenic amino acids (i.e., those not naturally encoded or found in the genetic code) that either occur naturally or are chemically synthesized. Over 140 unnatural amino acids are known and thousands of more combinations are possible.
  • unnatural amino acids include ⁇ -amino acids ( ⁇ 3 and ⁇ 2 ), homo-amino acids, proline and pyruvic acid derivatives, 3-substituted alanine derivatives, glycine derivatives, ring- substituted phenylalanine and tyrosine derivatives, linear core amino acids, diamino acids, D-amino acids, alpha-methyl amino acids and N-methyl amino acids.
  • Unnatural or non-natural amino acids also include modified amino acids.
  • Modified amino acids include amino acids (e.g., natural amino acids) that have been chemically modified to include a group, groups, or chemical moiety not naturally present on the amino acid.
  • a peptide inhibitor comprises an intramolecular bond between two amino acid residues present in the peptide inhibitor. It is understood that the amino acid residues that form the bond will be altered somewhat when bonded to each other as compared to when not bonded to each other. Reference to a particular amino acid is meant to encompass that amino acid in both its unbonded and bonded state.
  • the amino acid residue homoSerine (hSer) or homoSerine(Cl) in its unbonded form may take the form of 2-aminobutyric acid (Abu) when participating in an intramolecular bond according to the present invention.
  • the present invention indues both peptide inhibitors containing cross-links between X4 and X9, as well as the peptide inhibitors that do not contain cross-links between X4 and X9, e.g., before cross-link formation.
  • the names hSer and Abu are intended to indicate the same amino acids and are used interchangeably.
  • amino acids are referred to by their full name (e.g. alanine, arginine, etc.), they are designated by their conventional three- letter or single-letter abbreviations (e.g. Ala or A for alanine, Arg or R for arginine, etc.). Unless otherwise indicated, three-letter and single-letter abbreviations of amino acids refer to the L-isomeric form of the amino acid in question.
  • L-amino acid refers to the "L” isomeric form of a peptide
  • D-amino acid refers to the "D” isomeric form of a peptide (e.g., Dasp, (D)Asp or D-Asp; Dphe, (D)Phe or D-Phe).
  • Amino acid residues in the D isomeric form can be substituted for any L-amino acid residue, as long as the desired function is retained by the peptide.
  • D-amino acids may be indicated as customary in lower case when referred to using single-letter abbreviations.
  • N- methylglycine N- methylglycine
  • Aib a-aminoisobutyric acid
  • Dab 2,4-diaminobutanoic acid
  • Dapa 2,3- diaminopropanoic acid
  • ⁇ -Glu ⁇ -glutamic acid
  • Gaba ⁇ -aminobutanoic acid
  • ⁇ -Pro pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid
  • 8Ado 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid
  • Abu 2-amino butyric acid
  • phPro ⁇ -homoproline
  • phPhe ⁇ -homophenylalanine
  • Bip ⁇ , ⁇ diphenylalanine
  • Ida Iminodiacetic acid
  • sequences disclosed herein are shown proceeding from left to right, with the left end of the sequence being the N-terminus of the peptide and the right end of the sequence being the C-terminus of the peptide.
  • sequences disclosed herein are sequences incorporating a "Hy-" moiety at the amino terminus (N-terminus) of the sequence, and either an "-OH” moiety or an "-NH 2 " moiety at the carboxy terminus (C- terminus) of the sequence.
  • a "Hy-" moiety at the N-terminus of the sequence in question indicates a hydrogen atom, corresponding to the presence of a free primary or secondary amino group at the N-terminus, while an "-OH” or an “-NH 2 " moiety at the C-terminus of the sequence indicates a hydroxy group or an amino group, corresponding to the presence of an amido (CONH 2 ) group at the C-terminus, respectively.
  • a C-terminal "-OH” moiety may be substituted for a C-terminal "-NH 2 " moiety, and vice-versa.
  • DRP disulfide rich peptides
  • dimer refers broadly to a peptide comprising two or more monomer subunits. Certain dimers comprise two DRPs. Dimers of the present invention include homodimers and heterodimers. A monomer subunit of a dimer may be linked at its C- or N- terminus, or it may be linked via internal amino acid residues. Each monomer subunit of a dimer may be linked through the same site, or each may be linked through a different site (e.g., C- terminus, N-terminus, or internal site).
  • NH 2 can refer to a free amino group present at the amino terminus of a polypeptide.
  • OH can refer to a free carboxy group present at the carboxy terminus of a peptide.
  • Ac refers to Acetyl protection through acylation of the C- or N-terminus of a polypeptide. In certain peptides shown herein, the NH 2 locates at the C-terminus of the peptide indicates an amino group.
  • isostere replacement refers to any amino acid or other analog moiety having chemical and/or structural properties similar to a specified amino acid.
  • cyclized refers to a reaction in which one part of a polypeptide molecule becomes linked to another part of the polypeptide molecule to form a closed ring, such as by forming a disulfide bridge or other similar bond.
  • subunit refers to one of a pair of polypeptide monomers that are joined to form a dimer peptide composition.
  • linker moiety refers broadly to a chemical structure that is capable of linking or joining together two peptide monomer subunits to form a dimer.
  • salts or zwitterionic forms of the peptides or compounds of the present invention which are water or oil- soluble or dispersible, which are suitable for treatment of diseases without undue toxicity, irritation, and allergic response; which are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and which are effective for their intended use.
  • the salts can be prepared during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or separately by reacting an amino group with a suitable acid.
  • Representative acid addition salts include acetate, adipate, alginate, citrate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, digluconate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, formate, fumarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethansulfonate (isethionate), lactate, maleate, mesitylenesulfonate, methanesulfonate, naphthylenesulfonate, nicotinate, 2- naphthalenesulfonate, oxalate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylproprionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, phosphate
  • amino groups in the compounds of the present invention can be quaternized with methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides; dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates; decyl, lauryl, myristyl, and steryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides; and benzyl and phenethyl bromides.
  • acids which can be employed to form therapeutically acceptable addition salts include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, and phosphoric, and organic acids such as oxalic, maleic, succinic, and citric.
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable salt may suitably be a salt chosen, e.g., among acid addition salts and basic salts.
  • acid addition salts include chloride salts, citrate salts and acetate salts.
  • basic salts include salts where the cation is selected among alkali metal cations, such as sodium or potassium ions, alkaline earth metal cations, such as calcium or magnesium ions, as well as substituted ammonium ions, such as ions of the type N(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)+, where Rl, R2, R3 and R4 independently will typically designate hydrogen, optionally substituted Cl-6-alkyl or optionally substituted C2-6-alkenyl.
  • Examples of relevant Cl-6-alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, 1 -propyl and 2-propyl groups.
  • Examples of C2-6-alkenyl groups of possible relevance include ethenyl, 1-propenyl and 2- propenyl.
  • Other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences", 17th edition, Alfonso R. Gennaro (Ed.), Mark Publishing Company, Easton, PA, USA, 1985 (and more recent editions thereof), in the "Encyclopaedia of Pharmaceutical Technology", 3rd edition, James Swarbrick (Ed.), Informa Healthcare USA (Inc.), NY, USA, 2007, and in J. Pharm. Sci. 66: 2 (1977).
  • suitable base salts are formed from bases which form non-toxic salts.
  • bases include the aluminum, arginine, benzathine, calcium, choline, diethylamine, diolamine, glycine, lysine, magnesium, meglumine, olamine, potassium, sodium, tromethamine, and zinc salts.
  • Hemisalts of acids and bases may also be formed, e.g., hemisulphate and hemi calcium salts.
  • N(alpha)Methylation describes the methylation of the alpha amine of an amino acid, also generally termed as an N-methylation.
  • sym methylation or "Arg-Me-sym”, as used herein, describes the symmetrical methylation of the two nitrogens of the guanidine group of arginine. Further, the term “asym methylation” or “Arg-Me-asym” describes the methylation of a single nitrogen of the guanidine group of arginine.
  • acylating organic compounds refers to various compounds with carboxylic acid functionality that are used to acylate the N-terminus of an amino acid or a monomer or dimer, e.g., a monomer subunit prior to forming a C-terminal dimer.
  • Non-limiting examples of acylating organic compounds include cyclopropylacetic acid, 4-Fluorobenzoic acid, 4-fluorophenylacetic acid, 3-Phenylpropionic acid, Succinic acid, Glutaric acid, Cyclopentane carboxylic acid, 3,3,3-trifluoropropeonic acid, 3-Fluoromethylbutyric acid, Tetrahedro-2H- Pyran-4-carboxylic acid.
  • alkyl includes a straight chain or branched, noncyclic or cyclic, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms.
  • Representative saturated straight chain alkyls include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, ⁇ -propyl, w-butyl, w-pentyl, w-hexyl, and the like, while saturated branched alkyls include, without limitation, isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, and the like.
  • saturated cyclic alkyls include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like, while unsaturated cyclic alkyls include, without limitation, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like.
  • mammal refers to any mammalian species such as a human, mouse, rat, dog, cat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, livestock, and the like.
  • a "therapeutically effective amount" of the peptide inhibitor of the invention is meant to describe a sufficient amount of the peptide inhibitor to treat an IL-23/IL- 23R-related disease, including but not limited to any of the diseases and disorders described herein (for example, to reduce inflammation associated with IBD).
  • the therapeutically effective amount will achieve a desired benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment.
  • an "analog" of an amino acid e.g., a "Phe analog” or a “Tyr analog” means an analog of the referenced amino acid.
  • a variety of amino acid analogs are known and available in the art, including Phe and Tyr analogs.
  • an amino acid analog, e.g., a Phe analog or a Tyr analog comprises one, two, three, four or five substitutions as compared to Phe or Tyr, respectively.
  • the substitutions are present in the side chains of the
  • a Phe analog has the structure Phe(R ), wherein R is a Hy, OH, C3 ⁇ 4, C0 2 H, CONH 2 , CONH2OCH2CH2NH2, ⁇ -Bu, OCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , phenoxy, OCH 3 , OAllyl, Br, CI, F, NH 2 , N3, or guanadino.
  • R 2 is CONH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , OCH 3 , CONH 2 , OCH 3 or CO 2 H.
  • Phe analogs include, but are not limited to: hPhe, Phe(4-OMe), a-Me-Phe, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-phenoxy), Phe(4- guanadino), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-NH 2 ), BhPhe(4-F), Phe(4- F), Phe(3,5 DiF), Phe(CH 2 C0 2 H), Phe(penta-F), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe (3,4-F 2 ), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ - diPheAla, Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], 4-Phenylbenzylalanine, Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4- Dimethoxy
  • GWAS Genome-wide association studies
  • IBD inflammatory bowel disease
  • the present invention provides compositions and methods to modulate the IL-23 pathway through selective antagonism of IL-23R by oral treatment with peptides that are stable and restricted to the gastrointestinal (GI) tissue.
  • Novel inhibitory peptides that are uniquely resistant to oxidative/reductive conditions and proteolytic degradation in a variety of assays that mimic the various compartments of the GI environment were identified.
  • these peptides potently neutralize IL-23 -mediated signaling in a transformed human cell line and in human primary cells.
  • the binding of IL-23R is selective, since the peptides do not block the interaction between IL-6 to IL-6R or antagonize the IL-12 signaling pathway.
  • these orally delivered peptides are efficacious in attenuating colitis in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute rat model of IBD, as shown by a significant reduction in the ratio of colon weight to length, colon macroscopic score, neutrophil infiltration, and histopathology comparable to that of the control anti-IL-23pl9 mAb.
  • TNBS 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid
  • the present invention relates generally to peptides that have IL-23R antagonist activity, including both peptide monomers and peptide dimers.
  • this invention demonstrates a new paradigm for treatment of IBD and other diseases and disorders by oral delivery of antagonists of IL-23.
  • IBD represents a local inflammation of the intestinal tissue; therefore, advantageous therapeutic agents would act from the luminal side of the intestine, yielding high drug concentrations in diseased tissue, minimizing systemic availability and resulting in improved efficacy and safety when compared to systemic approaches.
  • Oral administration of the compounds of the present invention is expected to maximize drug levels in diseased intestinal tissues while limiting drug concentrations in circulation, thereby providing efficacious, safe, and durable delivery for life-long treatment of IBD and other diseases and disorders.
  • the present invention relates to various peptides, or peptide dimers comprising hetero- or homo-monomer subunits, that form cyclized structures through disulfide or other bonds.
  • the disulfide or other bonds are intramolecular bonds.
  • the cyclized structure of the peptide monomer inhibitors and the monomer subunits of the peptide dimer inhibitors has been shown to increase potency and selectivity of the peptide inhibitors.
  • a peptide dimer inhibitor may include one or more intermolecular bonds linking the two monomer peptide subunits within the peptide dimer inhibitor, e.g., an intermolecular bridge between two cysteine residues, one in each peptide monomer subunit.
  • the present invention provides peptide inhibitors that bind to IL-23R, which may be monomers or dimers.
  • the peptide inhibitors inhibit the binding of IL- 23 to IL-23R.
  • the IL-23R is human IL-23R
  • the IL-23 is human IL- 23.
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention reduces IL-23 binding to IL-23R by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% as compared to a negative control peptide.
  • Methods of determining binding are known in the art and include ELISA assays, as described in the accompanying Examples.
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention has an IC50 of > 1 mM, ⁇ 1 mM, 500 nM to 1000 nM, ⁇ 500 nM, ⁇ 250 nM, ⁇ 100 nM, ⁇ 50 nM, ⁇ 25 nM, ⁇ 10 nM, ⁇ 5 nM, ⁇ 2 nM, ⁇ 1 nM, or ⁇ 5 mM, e.g., for inhibiting binding of IL-23 to IL-23R (e.g., human IL-23 and human IL-23R).
  • Methods of determining activity are known in the art and include any of those described in the accompanying Examples.
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention has increased stability, increased gastrointestinal stability, or increased stability in stimulated intestinal fluid (SIF) or simulated gastric fluid (SGF), and/or under redox conditions (e.g., DTT) as compared to a control peptide.
  • a control peptide is an unrelated peptide of the same or similar length.
  • a control peptide is a peptide having the identical or a highly related amino acid sequence (e.g., > 90% sequence identity) as the peptide inhibitor.
  • a control peptide is a peptide having the identical or a highly related amino acid sequence (e.g., > 90% sequence identity) as the peptide inhibitor, but which does not have a cyclized structure, e.g., through an intramolecular bond between two amino acid residues within the control peptide, or which is not dimerized, or which does not comprise a conjugate for stabilization.
  • a highly related amino acid sequence e.g., > 90% sequence identity
  • the only difference between the peptide inhibitor and the control peptide is that the peptide inhibitor comprises one or more amino acid substitutions that introduce one or more amino acid residues into the peptide inhibitor, wherein the introduced amino residue(s) forms an intrasulfide disulfide or thioether bond with another amino acid residue in the peptide inhibitor.
  • a control for a peptide dimer inhibitor is a monomer having the same sequence as one of the monomer subunits present in the peptide dimer inhibitor.
  • a control for a peptide inhibitor comprising a conjugate is a peptide having the same sequence but not including the conjugated moiety.
  • a control peptide is a peptide (e.g., a naturally-occurring peptide) corresponding to a region of IL- 23 that binds to IL-23R.
  • the stability of a peptide inhibitor is determined using an SIF assay, e.g., as described in Example 3. In certain embodiments, the stability of a peptide inhibitor is determined using an SGF assay, e.g., as described in Example 3.
  • a peptide inhibitor has a half-life (e.g., in SIF or SGF or DTT) under a given set of conditions (e.g., temperature) of greater than 1 minute, greater than 10 minutes, greater than 20 minutes, greater than 30 minutes, greater than 60 minutes, greater than 90 minutes, greater than 120 minutes, greater than 3 hours, or greater than four hours when exposed to SIF or SGF or DTT.
  • the temperature is about 25 °C, about 4 °C, or about 37 °C
  • the pH is a physiological pH, or a pH about 7.4.
  • the half-life is measured in vitro using any suitable method known in the art, e.g., in some embodiments, the stability of a peptide of the present invention is determined by incubating the peptide with pre- warmed human serum (Sigma) at 37 0 C. Samples are taken at various time points, typically up to 24 hours, and the stability of the sample is analyzed by separating the peptide or peptide dimer from the serum proteins and then analyzing for the presence of the peptide or peptide dimer of interest using LC-MS.
  • pre- warmed human serum Sigma
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention exhibits improved solubility or improved aggregation characteristics as compared to a control peptide.
  • Solubility may be determined via any suitable method known in the art.
  • suitable methods known in the art for determining solubility include incubating peptides in various buffers (Acetate pH4.0, Acetate pH5.0, Phos/Citrate pH5.0, Phos Citrate pH6.0, Phos pH 6.0, Phos pH 7.0, Phos pH7.5, Strong PBS pH 7.5, Tns pH7.5, Tns pH 8.0, Glycine pH 9.0, Water, Acetic acid (pH 5.0 and other known in the art) and testing for aggregation or solubility using standard techniques.
  • improved solubility means the peptide is more soluble in a given liquid than is a control peptide.
  • improved aggregation means the peptide has less aggregation in a given liquid under a given set of conditions than a control peptide.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention are stable in the gastrointestinal (GI) environment.
  • Proteolytic metabolism in the GI tract is driven by enzymes (including pepsins, trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, aminopeptidases, and carboxypeptidase A/B) that are secreted from the pancreas into the lumen or are produced as brush border enzymes.
  • Proteases typically cleave peptides and proteins that are in an extended conformation. In the reducing environment of intestinal fluids, disulfide bonds may be broken, resulting in a linear peptide and rapid proteolysis.
  • the peptide inhibitors are stable to various pHs that range from strongly acidic in the stomach (pH 1.5-1.9), trending towards basic in the small intestine (pH 6-7.5), and then weakly acidic in the colon (pH 5-7). Such peptide inhibitors are stable during their transit through the various GI compartments, a process that has been estimated to take 3-4 h in the intestine and 6-48 h in the colon.
  • the peptide inhibitors of the present invention have less degradation, e.g., over a period of time (i.e., more degradation stability), e.g., greater than or about 10% less, greater than or about 20% less, greater than or about 30% less, greater than or about 40 less, or greater than or about 50% less degradation than a control peptide.
  • degradation stability is determined via any suitable method known in the art.
  • the degradation is enzymatic degradation.
  • the peptide inhibitors have reduced susceptibility to degradation by trypsin, chhrmotrypsin or elastase.
  • suitable methods known in the art for determining degradation stability include the method described in Hawe et al., J Pharm Sci, VOL. 101 , No. 3, 2012, p 895-913, incorporated herein in its entirety. Such methods are in some embodiments used to select potent peptide sequences with enhanced shelf lifes.
  • peptide stability is determined using a SIF assay or SGF assay as described herein.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL- 23 -mediated inflammation.
  • peptide inhibibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL-23 -mediated secretion of one or more cytokines, e.g., by binding to IL-23R on the cell surface, thus inhibiting IL-23 binding to the cell.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL-23 -mediated activation of Jak2, Tyk2, Statl , Stat3, Stat4, or Stat5.
  • Methods of determining inhibition of cytokine secretion and inhibition of signaling molecules are known in the art. For example, inhibiton of IL-23/IL-23R signaling may be determined by measuring inhibition of phospho-Stat3 levels in cell lysates, as decribed in the accompanying Examples, including Example 2.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL- 23 -mediated inflammation.
  • peptide inhibibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL-23 -mediated secretion of one or more cytokines, e.g., by binding to IL-23R on the cell surface, thus inhibiting IL-23 binding to the cell.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention inhibit or reduce IL-23 -mediated activation of Jak2, Tyk2, Statl , Stat3, Stat4, or Stat5.
  • Methods of determining inhibition of cytokine secretion and inhibition of signaling molecules are known in the art. For example, inhibiton of IL-23/IL-23R signaling may be determined by measuring inhibition of phospho-Stat3 levels in cell lysates, as decribed in the accompanying Examples, including Example 2.
  • peptide inhibitors have increased redox stability as compared to a control peptide.
  • assays that may be used to determine redox stability are known and available in the art. Any of these may be used to determine the redox stability of peptide inhibitors of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides various peptide inhibitors that bind or associate with the IL-23R, in vitro or in vivo, to disrupt or block binding between IL-23 and IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors bind and/or inhibit human IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors bind and/or inhibit both human and rodent IL- 23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors bind and/or inhibit both human and rat IL- 23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors inhibit rat IL-23R at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% as well as they bind or inhibit human IL-23R, e.g., as determined by an assay described herein.
  • the peptide inhibitors preferentially bind and/or inhibit human and/or rat IL-23R as compared to mouse IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors preferentially bind to rat IL- 23R as compared to mouse IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitors preferentially bind to human IL-23R as compared to mouse IL-23R.
  • binding of a peptide inhibitor to mouse IL-23R is less than 75%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of binding of the same peptide inhibitor to human IL-23R and/or rat IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitor binds to a region of IL-23R that is disrupted by the presence of additional amino acids present in mouse IL-23R but not human IL-23R or rat IL-23.
  • the additional amino acids present in the mouse IL-23R are in the region corresponding to about amino acid residue 315 to about amino acid residue 340 of the mouse IL23R protein, e.g., amino acid region NWQPWSSPFVHQTSQETGKR (see, e.g., Figure 4).
  • the peptide inhibitors bind to a region of human IL-23R from about amino acid 230 to about amino acid residue 370.
  • peptide inhibitors show Gl-restricted localization following oral administration.
  • greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, or greater than 90% of orally administered peptide inhibitor is localized to gastrointestinal organs and tissues.
  • blood plasma levels of orally administered peptide inhibitor are less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1% or less than 0.5% the levels of peptide inhibitor found in the small intestine mucosa, colon mucosa, or proximal colon.
  • the various peptide inhibitors of the invention may be constructed solely of natural amino acids.
  • the peptide inhibitors may include non-natural amino acids including, but not limited to, modified amino acids.
  • modified amino acids include natural amino acids that have been chemically modified to include a group, groups, or chemical moiety not naturally present on the amino acid.
  • the peptide inhibitors of the invention may additionally include one or more D-amino acids.
  • the peptide inhibitors of the invention may include amino acid analogs.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention include one or more modified or unnatural amino acids.
  • a peptide inhibitor includes one or more of Dab, Dap, Pen, Sarc, Cit, Cav, hLeu, 2-Nal, D-l-Nal, D-2-Nal, Phe(4- OMe), phTrp, a-MePhe, a-MeTyr, a-MeTrp, ⁇ -HPhe, Phe(4-CF 3 ), 2-2-Indane, 1 -1-Indane, Cyclobutyl, ⁇ -hPhe, Gla, Phe(4-NH 2 ), hPhe, 1-Nal, Nle, homoamino acids, D-amino acids, 4,4'- Biphenylalanine (Bip), cyclobutyl-Ala, hCha, phPhe, PGlu, Phe(4-Guanidino),
  • a peptide inhibitor includes one or more non-natural amino acids shown in Table 1A.
  • Table 1A One having skill in the art will appreciate that other modified or unnatural amino acids, and various other substitutions of natural amino acids with modified or unnatural amino acids, may be made to achieve similar desired results, and such substitutions are within the teaching and spirit of the present invention.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention include any of those described herein, including but not limited to any of those comprising an amino acid sequence or peptide inhibitor structure shown in any one of the tables herein, the accompanying sequence listing or the accompanying figures, wherein one or more residues is substituted with a modified or unnatural amino acid.
  • the present invention also includes any of the peptide inhibitors described herein in either a free or a salt form.
  • embodiments of any of the peptide inhibitors described herein (and related methods of use thereof) include a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the peptide inhibitor.
  • the present invention also includes variants of any of the peptide inhibitors described herein, including but not limited to any of those comprising a sequence shown in any one of the tables herein, the accompanying sequence listing or the accompanying figures, wherein one or more L-amino acid residue is substituted with the D isomeric form of the amino acid residue, e.g., an L-Ala is substituted with a D-Ala.
  • peptide inhibitors described herein they comprise one or more unnatural or non-natural amino acid residue.
  • the present invention also includes any of the peptide monomer inhibitors described herein linked to a linker moiety, including any of the specific linker moieties described herein.
  • a linker is attached to an N-terminal or C-terminal amino acid, while in other embodiments, a linker is attached to an internal amino acid.
  • a linker is attached to two internal amino acids, e.g., an internal amino acid in each of two monomer subunits that form a dimer.
  • a peptide inhibitor is attached to one or more linker moieties shown.
  • the present invention also includes peptides and peptide dimers comprising a peptide having at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to the peptide sequence of a peptide inhibitor described herein.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention comprise a core peptide sequence and one or more N-terminal and/or C- terminal modification (e.g., Ac and NH 2 ) and/or one or more conjugated linker moiety and/or half-life extension moiety.
  • the core peptide sequence is the amino acid sequence of the peptide absent such modifications and conjugates.
  • a peptide inhibitor or a monomer subunit of a peptide inhibitor of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of 7 to 35 amino acid residues, 8 to 35 amino acid residues, 9 to 35 amino acid residues, 10 to 35 amino acid residues, 7 to 25 amino acid residues, 8 to 25 amino acid residues, 9 to 25 amino acid residues, 10 to 25 amino acid residues, 7 to 20 amino acid residues, 8 to 20 amino acid
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention (or a monomer subunit thereof), including but not limited to those of any embodiments of Formula X, Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, or Formula V is greater than 10, greater than 12, greater than 15, greater than 20, greater than 25, greater than 30 or greater than 35 amino acids, e.g., 35 to 50 amino acids.
  • a peptide inhibitor (or a monomer subunit thereof) is less than 50, less than 35, less than 30, less than 25, less than 20, less than 15, less than 12, or less than 10 amino acids.
  • a monomer subunit of a peptide inhibitor comprises or consists of 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, or 35 amino acid residues.
  • a monomer subunit of a peptide inhibitor of the present invention comprises or consists of 10 to 18 amino acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional non-amino acid moieties, such as a conjugated chemical moiety, e.g., a PEG or linker moiety.
  • the monomer subunit comprises or consists of 7 to 35 amino acid residues, 7 to 20 amino acid residues, 8 to 20 amino acid residues, 9 to 20 amino acid residues, 10 to 20 amino acid residues, 8 to 18 amino acid residues, 8 to 19 amino acid residues, 8 to 18 amino acid residues, 9 to 18 amino acid residues, or 10 to 18 amino acid residues.
  • X comprises or consists of 7 to 35 amino acid residues, 8 to 35 amino acid residues, 9 to 35 amino acid residues, 10 to 35 amino acid residues, 7 to 25 amino acid residues, 8 to 25 amino acid residues, 9 to 25 amino acid residues, 10 to 25 amino acid residues, 7 to 18 amino acid residues, 8 to 18 amino acid residues, 9 to 18 amino acid residues, or 10 to 18 amino acid residues.
  • Certain illustrative peptide inhibitors described herein comprise 12 or more amino acid residues.
  • the present invention also includes peptide inhibitors comprising a fragment of any of the peptide sequences described herein, including peptide inhibitors having 7, 8, 9, 10, or 1 1 amino acid residues.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention include peptides comprising or consisting of X4-X9, X4-X10, X4-X1 1 , X4-X12, X4-X13, X4-X14, X4- X15, or X4-X16.
  • the present invention includes peptide inhibitors having any of the sequences described herein, including but not limited to, those shown in any of the formulas described herein, the sequence listing, or any of the tables provided herein, wherein one or more of X10, X11 , X12, X13, X14, X15, or X16 is absent. In particular embodiments, one or more of X13, X14, X15 or X16 is absent.
  • the peptide inhibitors, or X regions thereof are not present within an antibody. In particular embodiments, the peptide inhibitors, or X regions thereof, are not present within a V H or V L region of an antibody.
  • peptide inhibitors described herein they comprise one or more unnatural or non-natural amino acid residue.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention are cyclized via a cyclic amide bond, a disulfide bond, or a thioether bond.
  • the bond is an intramolecular bond between two amino acid residues within the peptide inhibitor or a monomer subunit thereof.
  • Peptide inhibitors of the present invention include peptides having any of the amino acid sequences described herein, compounds having any of the structures described herein, including compounds comprising any of the peptide sequences described herein, and dimers of any of such peptides and compounds.
  • Peptide inihibitors on the present invention include both peptides not having and those having a bond between X4 and X9, e.g., before and after a cross-link is introduced between X4 and X9.
  • Illustrative peptides of the invention comprise an amino acid sequence or structure described in any of the accompanying tables, Examples, figures and sequence listing.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Xa): X1 -X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-Xl 4-Xl 5-Xl 6-Xl 7-Xl 8-Xl 9-X20 (Xa) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5 is any amino acid;
  • X6 is any amino acid;
  • X7 is any amino acid;
  • X8 is any amino acid;
  • X9 is any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X10 is any amino acid;
  • X1 I is any amino acid;
  • X12 is any amino acid;
  • X13 is any amino acid;
  • X14 is any amino acid;
  • X15 is any amino acid,
  • X16 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X17 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X18 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X19 is any amino acid or absent; and
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent,
  • X4 and X9 are capable of forming a bond with each other.
  • the bond is a disulfide bond, a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole ring, a selenoether bond, a diselenide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • the bond is a disulfide bond or a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via the bond between X4 and X9.
  • the peptide inhibitor inhibits the binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to an IL-23 receptor.
  • IL-23 interleukin-23
  • X1 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X2 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X3 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X16 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X17 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X18 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X19 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X20 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X1 is absent; X2 is absent;
  • X3 is Glu, D-Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X5 is Ala, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn, Gin, Arg, Ser or Thr;
  • X6 is Asp or Thr;
  • X7 is Trp or 6-Chloro-Trp;
  • X8 is Glu, Gin or Val
  • X9 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X10 is 2-Nal, a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog, wherein in particular embodiments, X10 is 2- Nal, Phe(3,4-diF 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2- acetylaminoethoxy)], Phe(Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guadino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N3), Tyr, Tyr(Bzl), or Tyr(Me);
  • X11 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-dimethoxy), 5-HydroxyTrp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Trp or Tyr(3-tBu);
  • X12
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent. [00121] IN certain embodiments, X3 is absent. In particular embodiments, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent. In particular embodiments, X4 and X9 are Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a disulfide bond. In particular embodiments, X4 is Abu and X9 is Pen, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond. In particular embodiments, X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • X1 is absent; X2 is absent;
  • X3 is Glu, D-Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X5 is Ala, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, Orn, Gin, Arg, Ser or Thr;
  • X6 is Asp or Thr
  • X7 is Trp or 6-Chloro-Trp
  • X8 is Gin or Val
  • X9 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X10 is 2-Nal, a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog, wherein in particular embodiments, X10 is 2- Nal, Phe(3,4-diF 2 ), Phe(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)], Phe(Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guadino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Tyr, Tyr(Bzl), or Tyr(Me);
  • X1 I is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-dimethoxy), 5-HydroxyTrp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Trp or Tyr(3-tBu);
  • X12 is 3 -Pal, Ac
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X3 is absent.
  • X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 and X9 are Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a disulfide bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Pen, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • X1 is absent; X2 is absent;
  • X3 is Glu, D-Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X5 is Dap, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Gin, Arg, Ser,Thr or Asn;
  • X6 is Thr;
  • X7 is Trp or 6-Chloro-Trp; X8 is Gin;
  • X9 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X10 is 2-Nal, a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog, wherein in particular embodiments, X10 is 2- Nal, Phe(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)], Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4- Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Tyr, Tyr(Bzl), or Tyr(Me);
  • X11 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-dimethoxy), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), or Trp;
  • X12 is Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Ache, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-MeLeu, a- MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-M
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent. [00125] In some embodiments, X3 is absent. In particular embodiments, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent. In particular embodiments, X4 and X9 are Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a disulfide bond. In particular embodiments, X4 is Abu and X9 is Pen, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond. In particular embodiments, X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • X1 is absent; X2 is absent;
  • X3 is Glu, D-Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Abu or Pen
  • X5 is Dap, Dap(Ac), Gin, Ser, Thr or Asn;
  • X6 is Thr
  • X7 is Trp
  • X8 is Gin
  • X9 is Cys, Abu or Pen;
  • X10 is a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog, wherein in particular embodiments, X10 is Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)], Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Me), Tyr, Tyr(Bzl), or Tyr(Me);
  • X1 I is 2-Nal or Trp;
  • X12 is Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Ache, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-MeLeu, a- MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, hLeu, Leu, or THP;
  • X13 is Cit, Asp, Glu, Lys, Lys(Ac), Asn, or Gin;
  • X14 is Dab
  • X3 is absent.
  • X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 and X9 are Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a disulfide bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Pen, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys, and X4 and X9 are linked via a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in any of the various formula described herein, e.g., Ia-It, Ila-IId, Illa-IIIe, or IV.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, wherein the peptide inhibitor has the structure of Formula I:
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, an C1 -C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl C1 -C6 alkyl, a C1 -C20 alkanoyl, and including PEGylated versions alone or as spacers of any of the foregoing;
  • R 2 is a bond, OH or NH 2 ; and [00133] X is an amino acid sequence, e.g., an amino acid comprising 7 to 35 amino acid residues. In certain embodiments, R is OH or N3 ⁇ 4.
  • X comprises a sequence of Formula Xa.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula la: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (la) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3- chloro-isobutyric acid, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2- allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, , a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, CitDap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin,
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Leu, Val, Phe, Ser, Sec, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-2- allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, or Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl- Gly 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, As
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D- Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1- Nal or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, or Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl- Ala or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc;
  • X16 is As
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula lb: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13 -X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (lb), [00141] wherein: X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D- Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto- butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3-chloro- isobutyric acid, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-2-allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine, or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, CitDap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Sec, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'- butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl),
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl-Gly4- amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAlaAib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Or
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t- butyl-Ala or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc;
  • X16 is Asp,
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ic: X1 -X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9- Y-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3- chloro-isobutyric acid, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'- butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine, or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, CitDap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Sec, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'- butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala or t-butyl- Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc;
  • X16 is Asp, Glu, Ala,
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Id:
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, CitDap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X10 is Tyr Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl-Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, oc-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, -MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1 -Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl- Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc;
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ie:
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, or D-hCys;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, CitDap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X9 is Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl-Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, As
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl- Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc;
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula If:
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, or Asp;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap (Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, or Asp;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F2), Phe(3,4-C12), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH2), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4- Me), Phe(4-NH2), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl- Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys,
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D- Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X9 is Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D- Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, or Asp
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal
  • the intramolecular bond is a lactam bond.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ig:
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, or propargylglycine;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X9 is ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH or propargylglycine, ;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl- Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys,
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent, [00174] wherein X4 and X9 are optionally cyclized through an intramolecular triazole ring.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH or propargylglycine;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me- His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3 -Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ih: X1-X2-X3-C-X5-X6-W-X8-C-Y-X1 1-H-X13-F-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N- MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, or Asn
  • X8 is Val, Gin, or Glu
  • X9 is 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn;
  • X16 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X17 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, or Sarc
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, or Asn
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, or Aib
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc
  • X16 is Asp, Glu, Ala, AEA, AEP, phAla, Gaba, or absent
  • X17 is Leu, Lys, Arg, or absent.
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ii:
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N- MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, or Abu;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl-Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, As
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1 -Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ij : X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Ij), [00185] wherein: X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3-chloro- isobutyric acid, or Abu;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Sec or Abu
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy), Phe[4-(2-(acetyl-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4- CN), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N ?
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t-butyl-Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache, Acpc, Acbc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a- MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Or
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 and X9 are optionally cyclized via an intramolecular thioseleno or diselenide bond.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t- butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, or Aib;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc;
  • X comprises the sequence of Formula Ik: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13 -X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Ik), [00189] wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Leu, Val, Phe, or Ser;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, D-His, Cav, Cpa
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D- Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1 -Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, D-His, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3- Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib or absent;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe or absent;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala,
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula II: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (II),
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, or Phe
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Leu, Val, Phe, or Ser;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, , Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, D-His, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, t- butyl-Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a- DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, h
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, or Sarc
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe
  • X11 is Trp, 1 -Nal, or 2-Nal
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, D-His, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Val, phAla, Aib or absent
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe or absent
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc or absent
  • X16 is Asp, Glu, Ala, AEA, AEP, phAla, Gaba, Leu, or absent
  • X17 is Ala
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, or Aib.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc.
  • X12 is alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Aib, a-MeGly(diethyl), a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Aib, a-MeGly(diethyl), a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Im: X1 -X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-W-X8-X9- Y-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Im),
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn, or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, or Phe
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Leu, Val, Phe, or Ser;
  • X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ); 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl- Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, -MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, -MeOrn, a-MeSer, -MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn,
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, or Sarc
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t- butyl-Ala, or t-butyl-Gly
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, hAla, Val, Aib or absent
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe or absent
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc or absent
  • X16 is Asp, Glu, Ala, AEA, AEP, phAla, Gaba, or absent
  • X17 is Leu, Lys, Arg, or absent.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, or Aib. In certain embodiments, X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc, P-Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc.
  • X12 is alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Aib, a-MeGly(diethyl), a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Aib, a-MeGly(diethyl), a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14, and X15 are present.
  • X4 is present.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, or contains an intramolecular bond, between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula In: X1 -X2-X3-C-X5-X6-W-X8-C-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (In)
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, or Phe
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X10 is Tyr Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3-Pal, t-butyl-Ala, or t-butyl- Gly, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a- MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, Cha, Cit, Cpa, (D)Asn, Glu, hArg, or Lys; X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys,
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a- MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBz
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, or Aib.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc.
  • X12 is an alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula lo: X1 -X2-X3 -C-X5-X6-W-X8-C- Y-Xl 1 -H-Xl 3-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (lo)
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, or Phe
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys
  • X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin or absent
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp or absent
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn or absent
  • X16 is any amino acid or absent
  • X17 is any amino acid
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, a- MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, Gin or absent;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac)
  • X12 is an alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla or Aib.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe or Tyr.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Ip:
  • X1 is any amino acid or absent
  • X2 is any amino acid or absent
  • X3 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N- MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, or Asn
  • X8 is Val, Gin, or Glu
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu)
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, Gin or absent
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg Asn or absent
  • X16 is any amino acid or absent
  • X17 is any amino acid or absent
  • X18 is any amino acid or absent
  • X19 is any amino acid or absent
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, or Sarc
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib or absent
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc or absent
  • X16 is Asp, Glu, Ala, AEA, AEP, phAla, Gaba, or absent
  • X17 is Leu, Lys, Arg, or absent.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla or Aib.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Iq: X1 -X2-X3 -C-X5-X6-W-X8-C-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13 -X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Iq), wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, D-Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn or Gin;
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, or D-Phe;
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, or Lys;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl- aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X1 I is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, , Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, or D-His, Cav,
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, or D-His, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3 -Pal, t- butyl- Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib or absent;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe or absent;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Al
  • X12 is alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me- Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla or Aib.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac), or Asp. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Tyr or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • Iq comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Iq' : X1 -X2-X3 -C-X5-X6-W-X8-C-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15 (Iq'), wherein X1 -X14 have the definition provided for Iq, and wherein the Cys at position X4 and and the Cys at position X9 are optionally linked.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, or D-Sarc;
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is His, Phe, Arg, N-Me-His, Val, or D-His, Cav, Cpa, Leu, Cit, hLeu, 3 -Pal, t- butyl- Ala, or t-butyl-Gly;
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Val, Aib or absent;
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe or absent;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin,
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, Aib, Lys(Ac), Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, hArg, Lys, Asn, Orn, or Gin.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla or Aib.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr, phPhe, Asn, Arg, Qln, Lys(Ac), His; Dap(Ac), Dab(Ac) or Asp.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala or Sarc, ⁇ -Ala, Glu, Arg or Asn.
  • X14 is Phe, Tyr or phPhe.
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and X14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Ir: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-Xl 3-Xl 4-Xl 5-Xl 6-Xl 7-Xl 8-Xl 9-X20 (Ir) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Met, Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Sec, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3- chloro-isobutyric acid, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2- allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine, Abu or absent;
  • X5 is any amino acid
  • X6 is any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or OctGly, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X8 is any amino acid;
  • X9 is Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys, D-hCys, Glu, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu, D-Lys, Asp, Leu, Val, Phe, or Ser, Sec, Abu, ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH, propargylglycine, 2-2- allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'-pentenyl)glycine, Ala, hCys, Abu, Met, MeCys, (D)Tyr or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycine;
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, a-MePhe, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, His
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • the peptide is cyclized via X4 and X9.
  • X3 is Glu, D-Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln.
  • X11 is 2-Nal, 1-Nal, 2,4-dimethylPhe, Bip, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe (3,4-F 2 ), Phe(4-C0 2 H), phPhe(4-F), a-Me-Trp, 4-phenylcyclohexyl, Phe(4-CF 3 ), a-MePhe, phNal, phPhe, phTyr, phTrp, Nva(5-phenyl), Phe, His, hPhe, Tic, Tqa, Trp, Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-Me), Trp(2,5,7-tn-tert-Butyl), Phe(4-Oallyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino, Phe(4-OBzl), Octgly, Glu(
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • X4 and X9 are cyclized via a disulfide bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys. In certain embodiments, X4 and X9 are cyclized via a thioether bond.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D- Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D-Aib, Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Val, aMe-Lys, aMe-Orn, or D-Sarc, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N- MeArg, or Gin.
  • X5 is Gin or Asn.
  • X5 is Ala, Arg, Glu, Phe, Leu, Thr, Ser, Aib, Sarc, D-Ala, D-Arg, D-Glu, D-Phe, D-Leu, D-Thr, D-Ser, D- Aib, Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Val, aMe-Lys, aMe-Orn, or D-Sarc.
  • X5 is Gin.
  • X6 is Asp, Thr, Asn, Phe, D-Asp, D-Thr, D-Asn, Glu, Arg, Ser or D-Phe. In particular embodiments, X6 is Thr.
  • X7 is Trp.
  • X8 is Val, Gin, Glu, Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr, Trp or Lys. In particular embodiments, X8 is Gin.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X11 is a Trp analog.
  • X10 is a Phe analog.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] (also referred to herein as Phe[4- 2ae)]).
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] (also referred to herein as Phe[4-2ae)]).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1 -Nal. In certain embodiments, X11 is 2-Nal.
  • X12 is oc-MeLys, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a- MeSer, or a-MeVal. In certain embodiments, X12 is a-MeLys.
  • X13 is Glu or Lys(Ac). In certain embodiments, X13 is Glu. [00283] In certain embodiments, X14 is Asn.
  • X15 is Gly or Asn. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly.
  • one or more, two or more, three or more, or four or more of X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • Ir, X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, and X18 is [(D)Lys].
  • X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, X10 is Tyr, and X18 is [(D)Lys].
  • X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, XI, X2 and X3 are absent, X17 is absent, X18 is [(D)Lys], and X19 and X20 are absent.
  • Ir, X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 and X11 are Trp, X10 is Tyr, and X18 is [(D)Lys.
  • XI, X2, and X3 are absent; and in certain embodiments, X17 is absent.
  • Ir, X4 and X9 are Pen, and X12 is a-MeLys.
  • X4 and X9 are Pen, X12 is a-MeLys, and X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • Ir, X4 and X9 are Pen
  • X12 is a-MeLys, 4-amino-4- carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys(Ac), a- Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent, and X7 is Trp.
  • Ir, X4 and X9 are Pen, X12 is a-MeLys, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent, and X7 is Trp.
  • X4 and X9 are Pen, X7 is Trp, and X12 is a-MeLys.
  • X1, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu
  • X9 is Cys
  • X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy- tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, or a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, or a-MeVal.
  • X4 is Abu
  • X9 is Cys
  • X12 is a-MeLys.
  • X4 is Abu
  • X9 is Cys
  • X12 is a- MeLys
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, or a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, or a-MeVal and X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu
  • X9 is Cys
  • X12 is a- MeLys
  • X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu
  • X9 is Cys
  • X12 is a-MeLys, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, or a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, or a- MeVal, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent, and X7 is Trp.
  • X4 is Abu, X9 is Cys, X12 is a-MeLys, X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent, and X7 is Trp.
  • X4 is Abu, X9 is Cys, X7 is Trp, and X12 is a-MeLys.
  • X1, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Is:
  • X6 is any amino acid
  • X8 is any amino acid
  • X10 is Tyr, 1-Nal 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2- (acetyl-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl) or Tyr;
  • X1 I is Trp 1-Nal, Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ) or Tyr(3-t-Bu);
  • X12 is Arg, Lys, His, hArg, Cit, Orn, 1-Nal, D-Ala, D
  • X10 is Tyr, 1 -Nal or 2-Nal;
  • X11 is Trp or 1 -Nal;
  • X12 is Arg, Lys, His, hArg, Cit, Orn, 1 -Nal, D-Ala, D-Leu, D-Phe, D-Asn, D-Asp, Agp, Leu, phLeu, Aib, phAla, phVal, phArg, hLeu or Dap;
  • X13 is Cha, Ogl, Aib, Leu, Val, Dab, Glu, Lys, phLeu, phAla, phVal or pGLu;
  • X14 is Phe, Tic, Asn or Tyr; and
  • X16 is AEA, Ala or pAla.
  • X5 is Glu, Arg, Ala, N-Me-Arg, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Gln, Orn, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, Ser, Gin, Orn, Asn or Dap.
  • X5 is Glu, Arg, Ala, N-Me-Arg, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Gln, Orn, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, Ser, Asn or Dap.
  • X6 is Asp or Thr.
  • X8 is Gin or Val.
  • the peptide of Is is cyclized via a disulfide bond between X4 and X9.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula It: X1 -X2-X3-C-X5-X6-W-X8-C-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (It) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any amino acid or absent; X5 is any amino acid; X6 is any amino acid; X8 is any amino acid; X10 is Tyr, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-OMe);
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Bip, , Phe(3,4-OMe 2 ) 5-Hydroxy-Trppion
  • X12 is Arg, His, 3 -Pal, Leu, Thr, Gin, Asn, Glu, He, Phe, Ser, Lys, hLeu, a-MeLeu, D-Leu, D- Asn, h-Leu, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a- DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer or a-MeVal;
  • X13 is Thr, Glu, Tyr, Lys, Gin, Asn, Lys, Lys (Ac), Asp, Arg, Ala,
  • X16 is absent or any amino acid
  • X17 is absent or any amino acid
  • X18 is any amino acid or absent
  • X19 is any amino acid or absent
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent.
  • X10 is Tyr, 1-Nal or 2-Nal;
  • X11 is Trp, 1-Nal, 2-Nal or Bip;
  • X12 is Arg, His, 3 -Pal, Leu, Thr, Gin, Asn, Glu, He, Phe, Ser, Lys, hLeu, a-MeLeu, D-Leu, D-Asn, or h-Leu;
  • X13 is Thr, Glu, Tyr, Lys, Gin, Asn, Lys, Asp, Arg, Ala, Ser, Leu;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Arg, Leu, Asp or Ala;
  • X16 is absent or Asn, Glu, Phe, Ala, Gly, Pro, Asp, Gin, Ser, Thr, D- Glu or Lys; and
  • X17 is absent or Pro, Arg, Glu, Asp, Ser, Gly or Gin.
  • X5 is Ser, Asp, Asn, Gin, Ala, Met, Arg, His or Gly. In particular embodiments, X5 is Ser, Asp, Gin, Ala, Met, Arg, His or Gly. [00298] In particular embodiments, X6 is any Asp, Ser or Thr. [00299] In particular embodiments, X8 is Gin, Glu or Thr.
  • the peptide of It is cyclized via a disulfide bond between X4 and X9.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Va): X1 -X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Va) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is any D-amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen, Abu, Ser, hSer or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5 is Ala, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn, Gin, Arg, Ser or Thr;
  • X6 is Thr, Ser, Asp, He or any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, 1 -Nap or 2-Nap;
  • X8 is Glu, Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, Cav, Lys(N-s-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L-Y-glutamyl)), or Lys(N-s- Palmitoyl;
  • X9 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen Abu, or any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X10 is 2-Nal, a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog;
  • X11 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-dimethoxy), 5-HydroxyTrp, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Trp or Tyr(3-tBu);
  • X12 is Aib, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, any alpha-methylamino acid, alpha-ethyl- amino acid, Ache, Acvc, Acbc Acpc, 4-amino-4-carboxy-piperidine, 3-Pal, Agp, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-MeLeu, a- a-MeOrn
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent, wherein X4 and X9 are capable of forming a bond with each other.
  • the bond is a ether, disulfide bond or a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via the bond between X4 and X9.
  • X1 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X2 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X16 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X17 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X18 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X19 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X20 is a D- amino acid or absent.
  • X10 is 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-diF 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)], Phe(Br), Phe(4-CONH2), Phe(Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guadino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Tyr, Tyr(Bzl), or Tyr(Me).
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Vb): X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-Xl 3-Xl 4-Xl 5-Xl 6-Xl 7-Xl 8-Xl 9-X20 (Vb) wherein X1 is any amino acid or absent; X2 is any amino acid or absent; X3 is D-Arg, D-Phe, any D amino acid or absent;
  • X4 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen, Abu, or a chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5 is Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, Cav, Lys(N-8-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L-y-glutamyl)), or Lys(N-8- Palmitoyl);
  • X6 is Thr, Ser, Asp, He or any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, 1-Nap or 2-Nap
  • X8 is Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, Cav, Lys(N-8-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L-y-glutamyl)), or Lys(N-8- Palmitoyl;
  • X9 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen, Abu, any amino acid or a chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X20 is any amino acid or absent, wherein X4 and X9 are capable of forming a bond with each other.
  • the bond is a disulfide bond or a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via the bond between X4 and X9.
  • X1 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X2 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X16 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X17 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X18 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X19 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X20 is a D- amino acid or absent.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Vc): X1 -X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Vc) wherein X1 is absent; X2 is absent;
  • X3 is D-Arg or absent
  • X4 is Cys, Pen, Abu, or a chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5 is Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, or Cav;
  • X6 is Thr or Ser
  • X7 is Trp, 1-Nap or 2-Nap;
  • X8 is Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, or Cav;
  • X9 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen, Abu, or any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X1 I is Trp or 2-Nal;
  • X12 is Aib, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, oc-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-MeLeu, Ache, Acvc, Acbc or Acpc;
  • X13 is Lys(Ac) or Glu;
  • X14 is Asn, Gin, Lys(Ac), Lys(N-8-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L-y-glutamyl)), or Lys(N-8-Palmitoyl);
  • X15 is Gly, ⁇ -Ala, Asn, Gin, Ala, Ser, or Aib;
  • X16 is absent;
  • X17 is absent;
  • X18 is absent;
  • X19 is absent; and
  • X20 is absent, wherein X4 and X9 are capable of forming a bond with each other.
  • the bond is a disulfide bond or a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via the bond between X4 and X9.
  • X1 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X2 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X16 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X17 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X18 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X19 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X20 is a D- amino acid or absent.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Vd): X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20 (Vd) wherein
  • X1 is absent
  • X2 is absent
  • X3 is absent
  • X4 is Pen or Abu
  • X5 is Gin or Asn
  • X6 is Thr or Ser
  • X7 is Trp
  • X8 is Gin or Asn
  • X9 is Pen or Cys
  • X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-CONH 2 );
  • X1 I is Trp or 2-Nal
  • X12 is Aib, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu, or Ache;
  • X13 is Lys(Ac) or Glu;
  • X14 is Asn, Gin or Lys(Ac);
  • X15 is Gly, Ala, Ser, ⁇ -Ala, Asn, or Gin;
  • X16 is absent
  • X17 is absent
  • X18 is absent
  • X19 is absent; and X20 is absent, wherein X4 and X9 are capable of forming a bond with each other.
  • the bond is a disulfide bond or a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via the bond between X4 and X9.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors of the present invention may be further defined, e.g., as described below. It is understood that each of the further defining features described herein may be applied to any peptide inhibitors where the amino acids designated at particular positions allow the presence of the further defining feature.
  • any of the Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] residues present in a peptide inhibitor may be substituted by Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)].
  • X1-X20 are any of the amino acids shown in the corresponding position relative to the cyclized Pen-Pen or cyclized Abu-Cys residues of the illustrative peptide inhibitors set forth in Tables 2-5.
  • any of the peptides inhibitors described herein including but not limited to those of Formulas (X), (Va), (Vb), Vc), (Vd), (Ve), (Vf), (Vg) or (Vh), further comprises a linker or spacer moiety between any two amino acid residues of the peptide.
  • the linker or spacer moiety is a PEG moiety.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized by a disulphide bridge.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-CONH 2 ) or Phe(4- OMe). In certain embodiments, X10 is Tyr.
  • X11 is 2-Nal, Trp, or 5-Hydroxy-Trp. In certain embodiments, X11 is Trp.
  • X10 is Tyr or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], and X11 is Trp or 2-Nal. In certain embodiments, X10 is Tyr and X11 is Trp. [00320] In particular embodiments, X4 and X9 are both Cys. [00321] In particular embodiments, X4 is Cys, Pen, hCys, or absent. [00322] In particular embodiments, X7 and X11 are not both W. [00323] In particular embodiments, X7 and X11 are both W.
  • X7 and X11 are both W
  • X10 is Y
  • X4 and X9 are both Cys.
  • X15 is Gly, Asn, ⁇ -ala or Ser. In particular embodiments, X15 is Gly or Ser.
  • X16 is AEA or AEP.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy). In particular embodiments, X10 is Tyr or Phe.
  • X11 is Trp or 2-Nal. In particular embodiments, X11 is Trp.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X1, X2, X3, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more of XI, X2 or X3 are present.
  • one of XI, X2 and X3 is present and the other two are absent.
  • the XI, X2 or X3 present is Ala.
  • X3 is present.
  • X3 is Glu, (D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln.
  • X3 is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • X1 and X2 are absent and X3 is present.
  • two of X1, X2 and X3 are present and the other one is absent. In certain embodiments, the two present consist of SG, NK, DA, PE, QV or DR.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are present.
  • XI, X2 and X3 consist of ADQ, KEN, VQE, GEE, DGF, NAD, ERN, RVG, KAN, or YED.
  • the peptide comprises an AEP residue.
  • any of X15, X16, X17, X18, X19 or X20 is AEP.
  • X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, Lys(Ac), phAla, or Aib. In certain embodiments of any of the peptide inhibitors or peptide monomer subunits, X13 is Thr, Sarc, Glu, Phe, Arg, Leu, Lys, phAla, or Aib. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Asn, Tyr, or phPhe. In certain embodiments, X14 is Phe, Tyr, or phPhe.
  • X15 is Gly, Asn Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc. In certain embodiments, X15 is Gly, Ser, Thr, Gin, Ala, or Sarc. In certain embodiments, X12 is alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, or a- MeVal.
  • 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran alpha amino acid, e.g., 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys,
  • X13 is present.
  • X13 and 14 are present.
  • X13, X14 and X15 are present.
  • X16-X20 are present. In particular embodiments, two or more or three or more of X16-X20 are present.
  • X18 is [(D)Lys]. In particular embodiments, X17 is absent, and X18 is [(D)Lys]. In certain embodiments wherein X4 and X9 are optionally Cys, X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, and X18 is [(D)Lys].
  • X4 and X9 are optionally Cys, X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, X10 is Tyr or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], and X18 is [(D)Lys].
  • X4 and X9 are optionally Cys, X4 and X9 are Cys, X7 is Trp, X10 is Tyr, and X18 is [(D)Lys].
  • X4 and X9 are optionally Cys
  • X4 and X9 are Cys
  • X7 is Trp
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent
  • X17 is absent
  • X18 is [(D)Lys]
  • X19 and X20 are absent.
  • Ir X4 and X9 are Cys
  • X7 and X11 are Trp
  • X10 is Tyr
  • X18 is [(D)Lys.
  • XI, X2, and X3 are absent; and in certain embodiments, X17 is absent.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors (or monomer subunits) described herein is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a bond between two or more internal amino acids of the peptide inhibitor.
  • cyclized peptide inhibitors are not cyclized via a bond between the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of the peptide inhibitor.
  • one of the amino acid residues participating in the intramolecular bond cyclizing the peptide in the amino terminal amino acid residue.
  • the peptide inhibitor (or one or both monomer subunits thereof) is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9 or by a triazole ring.
  • the intramolecular bond is any disulfide bond, a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole, a selenoether bond, a diselendide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • X4 and X9 of the peptide inhibitor are Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys or D-hCys, and the intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond.
  • both X4 and X9 are Cys, or both X4 and X9 are Pen, and the intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond.
  • X4 and X9 of the peptide inhibitor are Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D-Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu or D-Lys, and the intramolecular bond is a lactam bond.
  • X4 is Abu, 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, or 3- chloro-isobutyric acid;
  • X9 is Abu, Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys or D-hCys; and the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Pen, and the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond.
  • X4 is a 2-methylbenzoyl moiety capable of forming a thioether bond with X9, and X9 is selected from Cys, N-Me-Cys, D-Cys, hCys, Pen, and D-Pen.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys, and the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond.
  • X4 is selected from the group consisting of modified Ser, modified hSer (e.g., Homo-Ser-Cl), a suitable isostere, and corresponding D-amino acids.
  • X4 is an aliphatic acid having from one to four carbons and forming a thioether bond with X9.
  • X4 is a five- or six-membered alicyclic acid having a modified 2-methyl group that forms a thioether bond with X9.
  • X4 is a 2-methylbenzoyl moiety.
  • X4 is selected from Cys, hCys, Pen, and a 2-methylbenzoyl moiety. In certain embodiments, X4 is selected from the group consisting of a modified Ser, a modified hSer, a suitable isostere, and corresponding D- amino acids. In one embodiment, X4 is a hSerCl (before the thioether bond is formed with X9 whereby the CI is removed) or a hSer precursor (e.g., homoSer(O-TBDMS). In other instances, X4 is an aliphatic acid having from one to four carbons and forming a thioether bond with X9.
  • X4 is a five- or six-membered alicyclic acid having a modified 2-methyl group that forms a thioether bond with X9. In some instances, X4 is a 2-methylbenzoyl moiety. In certain embodiments wherein X4 is not an amino acid but is a chemical moiety that binds to X9, XI, X2, and X3 are absent, and X4 is conjugated to or bound to X5. In some embodiments, the amino acid directly carboxyl to X9 is an aromatic amino acid.
  • X4 is an amino acid, while in other embodiments, X4 is another chemical moiety capable of binding to X9, e.g., to form a thioether bond. In particular embodiments, X4 is another chemical moiety selected from any of the non-amino acid moieties described herein for X4. In particular embodiments wherein X4 is another chemical moiety, XI, X2 and X3 are absent, and the another chemical moiety is bound to or conjugated to X5.
  • X4 is defined as a chemical moiety including a group such as a chloride, e.g., in 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, 2- chloro-acetic acid, 3-choropropanoic acid, 4-chlorobutyric acid, 3-chloroisobutyric acid.
  • a chloride e.g., in 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, 2- chloro-acetic acid, 3-choropropanoic acid, 4-chlorobutyric acid, 3-chloroisobutyric acid.
  • chemical moieties at X4 that include a reactant group such as chloride thus means both the group with the chloride and also the group without the chloride, i.e., after formation of the bond with X9.
  • the present invention also includes peptides comprising the same structure as shown in any of the other formulas or tables described herein, but where the thioether bond is in the reverse orientation.
  • the amino acid residues or other chemical moieties shown at X4 are instead present at X9, and the amino acid residues shown at X9 are instead present at X4, i.e., the amino acid residue comprising the sulfur of the resulting thioether bond is located at X4 instead of X9, and the amino acid residue or other moiety having a carbon side chain capable of forming a thioether bond with X4 is located at X9.
  • the amino acid or chemical moiety at position X9 is one that comprises a free amine.
  • the amino acid at X9 is a protected homoserine, such as, e.g., homoserine (OTBDMS).
  • X9 is an amino acid residue having a side chain with one or two carbons, and forming a thioether bond with X4, and X4 is selected from the group consisting of Cys, N-Me-Cys, D-Cys, HCys, Pen, and D-Pen.
  • amino acids and other chemical moieties are modified when bound to another molecule.
  • an amino acid side chain may be modified when it forms an intramolecular bridge with another amino acid side chain, e.g., one or more hydrogen may be removed or replaced by the bond.
  • hSer-Cl binds to an amino acid such as Cys or Pen via a thioether bond, the CI moiety is released.
  • amino acid or modified amino acid such as hSer-Cl
  • a peptide dimer of the present invention e.g., at position X4 or position X9
  • reference to an amino acid or modified amino acid, such as hSer-Cl, present in a peptide dimer of the present invention is meant to include the form of such amino acid or modified amino acid present in the peptide both before and after forming the intramolecular bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor of the peptide inhibitor (or one or both monomer subunits thereof) is cyclized through a triazole ring. In certain embodiments, the peptide inhibitor of the peptide inhibitor (or one or both monomer subunits thereof) is linear or not cyclized.
  • one (or both) peptide monomer subunits comprise or consist of a cyclized peptide having a structure or sequence set forth in any of Ix, la, lb, Ic, Id, Ie, If, Ig, Ih, Ii, Ij, Ik, II, Im, In, Io, Ip, Iq, Iq', Ir, Is or It, Ila-IId, Illa-IIIe, Iva, or IVb.
  • X7 and X11 are both W.
  • X7 and X11 are not both W. In particular embodiments, X7 is W and X11 is not W.
  • X4 and X9 are amino acid residues capable of forming an intramolecular bond between each other that is a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole, a selenoether, a diselenide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • X7 and X11 are both W
  • X10 is Y
  • X4 and X9 are amino acid residues capable of forming an intramolecular bond between each other that is a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole, a selenoether, a diselenide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • X7 and X11 are both W
  • X10 is Y
  • X4 and X9 are amino acid residues capable of forming an intramolecular bond between each other that is a thioether bond, a lactam bond, a triazole, a selenoether, a diselenide bond, or an olefin bond.
  • X7 and X11 are both W
  • X10 is Y
  • X4 and X9 are both C.
  • X4 and X9 are each Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys or D-hCys, and the intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond.
  • X4 and X9 are each Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, D-Dap, D- Dab, D-Asp, D-Glu or D-Lys, and the intramolecular bond is a lactam bond.
  • X4 and X9 are each ⁇ -azido-Ala-OH or propargylglycine, and the peptide inhibitor (or monomer subunit) is cyclized through a triazole ring.
  • X4 and X9 are each 2-allylglycine, 2-(3'-butenyl)glycine, 2-(4'- pentenyl)glycine, or 2-(5'-hexenyl)glycinem and the peptide inhibitor (or monomer subunit) is cyclized via ring closing methasis to give the corresponding olefin / "stapled peptide.”
  • X4 is 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, mercapto-propanoic acid, mercapto-butyric acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro-propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3- chloro-isobutyric acid, or hSer(Cl);
  • X9 is hSer(Cl), Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys or D-hCys; and the intramolecular
  • X4 is 2- chloromethylbenzoic acid or hSer(Cl); X9 is Cys or Pen, and the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond. In certain embodiments, X4 is Abu, and X9 is Cys or Pen.
  • X4 is 2-chloromethylbenzoic acid, 2-chloro-acetic acid, 3-choro- propanoic acid, 4-chloro-butyric acid, 3-chloro-isobutyric acid, Abu or Sec;
  • X9 is Abu or Sec; and the intramolecular bond is a selenoether bond.
  • the intramolecular bond between X4 and X9 is a diselenide bond.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors described herein that contain two amino acid residues, e.g., cysteine residues, joined by an intramolecular bond, e.g., disulphide bond the two amino acid residues participating in the intramolecular bond are not both located at either the N-terminal or C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • neither of the two amino acid residues, e.g., cysteines, particpating in the intramolecular bond is located at the N-terminal or C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • At least one, or both, of the two amino acid residues, e.g., cysteines, participating in the intramolecular bond are internal amino acid residues of the peptide inhibitor.
  • neither of the two amino acid resiudes, e.g., cysteines, participating in the intramolecular bond is located at the C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • the two amino acid residues participating in the intramolecular bond are Cys, Pen, hCys, D-Pen, D-Cys or D-hCys residues.
  • the two amino acid residues participating in the intramolecular bond are located at X4 and X9.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • one or both peptide monomer subunits in the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a disulfide bond between two Pen residues, e.g., at positions X4 and X9.
  • one or both peptide monomer subunits present in the peptide inhibitor is cyclic or cyclized, e.g., by an intramolecular bond, such as a disulfide bond, between two cysteine residues present in the peptide monomer or peptide monomer subunit.
  • a peptide inhibitor comprises two or more cysteine residues.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via an intramolecular disulfide bond between the two cysteine residues.
  • the two cysteines occur at positions X4 and X9.
  • one or both peptide monomer subunits in the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a disulfide bond between two Pen residues, e.g., at positions X4 and X9.
  • a peptide inhibitor has a structure of any of the Formulas described herein (e.g., Formula I) and comprises a disulfide bond, e.g., an intramolecular disulfide bond, or a thioether bond.
  • a disulfide bond e.g., an intramolecular disulfide bond, or a thioether bond.
  • Illustrative examples of such peptide inhibitors are shown in Tables 3A-3H and 4A, 4B, 9, 1 1 or 15.
  • Such disulfide bonded peptides may have a particular advantage in that the disulfide bonds enhance structural stability and can improve biological activity of many bioactive peptides. However, in certain situations, these bonds are labile to reducing agents.
  • disulfide is amenable to simple isosteric replacement.
  • Illustrative examples of such replacements include, but are not limited to, thioethers, dithioethers, selenoethers, diselenides, triazoles, lacatams, alkane and alkene groups. Accordingly, in certain embodiments of any of the peptide inhibitors described herein, one, two or more cysteine residues are substitued, e.g., with a thioether, dithioether, selenoether, diselenide, triazoles, lacatam, alkane or alkene group, including but not limited to any of those shown below or described herein. In particular embodiments, two of these substituted groups form a bond (e.g., an intramolecular bond), thus cyclizing the peptide inhibitor or one or both monomer subunits thereof.
  • a bond e.g., an intramolecular bond
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence shown herein, e.g., in any one of Tables 3A-3H, 4A, 4B, 5A-5C, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14 or 15.
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention has a structure shown herein, e.g., in any one of Tables 3A-3H, 4A, 4B, 5A-5C, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14 or 15.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor that comprises a core consensus sequence selected from one of the following (shown in N-terminal to C- terminal direction):
  • each the two X1 residues are amino acids or other chemical moieties capable of forming an intramolecular bond with each other; each X2 is independently selected from all amino acids, which include, e.g., natural amino acids, L-amino acids, D-amino acids, non-natural amino acids, and unnatural amino acids; and X3 is any amino acid.
  • X3 is Phe, a Phe analog (e.g., Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-CONH 2 )), Tyr, or a Tyr analog (e.g., Tyr(Me)).
  • each X1 is selected from Cys, Pen and Abu. In particular embodiments, each X1 is Cys. In certain embodiments, each X1 is Pen. In certain embodiments, one X1 is Cys and the other X1 is Abu. In particular embodiments, the N-terminal X1 is Abu and the C-terminal X1 is Cys. In particular embodiments, the N-terminal X1 is Cys and the C-terminal X1 is Abu. In particular embodiments, the residues between the two X1 residues are Gin, Thr, Trp and Gin.
  • each X1 is selected from Cys, Pen and Abu; and X3 is Phe, a Phe analog (e.g., Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-carbomide)), Tyr, or a Tyr analog (e.g., Tyr(Me)).
  • X3 is a Phe analog.
  • peptide inhibitors of the present invention comprises any of the following consensus sequences, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, X12, X13, X14 and X15 are defined as shown in any of the various Formula or peptide inhibitors described herein:
  • X7 and X11 are both W. In certain embodiments of any of the peptide inhibitors, X7 and X11 are both W, and X10 is Y. In certain embodiments, X7 and X11 are both W and X10 is Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-OMe) .
  • X7 and X11 are not both W.
  • peptide inhibitors of Formula I are each Pen, and the intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond.
  • a peptide inhibitor of the present invention comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence shown in any one of the tables, sequence listing or the accompanying figures herein.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors described herein that contain two amino acid residues, e.g., Pen residues, joined by an intramolecular bond, e.g., disulphide bond one or both of the two amino acid residues participating in the intramolecular bond are not located at either the N-terminal or C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • neither of the two amino acid residues, e.g., Pen, particpating in the intramolecular bond is located at the N-terminal or C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • At least one, or both, of the two amino acid residues, e.g., Pens, participating in the intramolecular bond are internal amino acid residues of the peptide inhibitor.
  • neither of the two amino acid residues, e.g., Pens, participating in the intramolecular bond is located at the C-terminal position of the peptide inhibitor.
  • a peptide of the invention is conjugated to an acidic compound such as, e.g., isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and the like, the presence of such a conjugation is referenced in the acid form.
  • an acidic compound such as, e.g., isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and the like
  • the present application references such a conjugation as isovaleric acid- [Pen]-QTWQ[Pen]-[Phe(4-OMe)]-[2-Nal]-[a-MeLys]-[Lys(Ac)]-NG-NH 2 .
  • the present invention further includes peptide inhibitors that selectively bind to an epitope or binding domain present within amino acid residues 230 - 349 of the human IL23R protein.
  • the peptide inhibitor binds human IL23R and not mouse IL- 23R.
  • the peptide inhibitor also binds to rat IL-23R.
  • X4 is Abu; X9 is Cys, Pen, homocys, and the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond.
  • peptide inhibitors do not include compounds, disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT US2014/030352 or PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/038370.
  • Illustrative Peptide Inhibitors Comprising Pen-Pen Disulfide Bonds
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, wherein the peptide inhibitor has the structure of Formula II:
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C1 -C20 alkanoyl, an alkylsulphonate, an acid, ⁇ -Glu or pGlu, appended to the N-terminus, and including PEGylated versions (e.g., 200 Da to 60,000 Da), alone or as a spacer of any of the foregoing;
  • R 2 is a bond, OH or NH 2 ;
  • X is an amino acid sequence of 8 to 20 amino acids or 8 to 35 amino acids.
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Ila: X1 -X2-X3 -X4-X5-X6-X7-X8-X9-X10-Xl 1 -X12-Xl 3-Xl 4-Xl 5-Xl 6-Xl 7-Xl 8-Xl 9-X20 (Ila) wherein
  • X1 is absent or any amino acid
  • X2 is absent or any amino acid
  • X3 is absent or any amino acid
  • X4 is Pen, Cys or homo-Cys
  • X5 is any amino acid
  • X6 is any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, Bip, Gin, His, Glu(Bzl), 4-Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, a-Me-Trp, 1 ,2,3,4 - tetrahydro-norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Dimethoxy), Phe(4-CF 3 ), Phe(4-tBu), ⁇ -diPheAla, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or Octgly, or a corresponding a- methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X8 is any amino acid
  • X9 is Pen, Cys or hCys
  • X10 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, Phe, His, Trp, Thr, Tic, Tyr, 4- pyridylAla, Octgly, a Phe analog or a Tyr analog (optionally, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), or Phe(4- OBzl)), or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the for
  • X11 is 2-Nal, 1-Nal, 2,4-dimethylPhe, Bip, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe (3,4-F 2 ), Phe(4-C0 2 H), phPhe(4- F), a-Me-Trp, 4-phenylcyclohexyl, Phe(4-CF 3 ), a-MePhe, phNal, phPhe, phTyr, phTrp, Nva(5- phenyl), Phe, His, hPhe, Tic, Tqa, Trp, Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-Me), Trp(2,5,7-tri-tert-Butyl), Phe(4-Oallyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino, Phe(4-OBzl), Octgly, Glu(Bzl), 4- Phenylbenzy
  • X12 is a-MeLys, a-MeOrn, a-MeLeu, a-MeVal, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache
  • X13 is Lys(Ac), (D)Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Thr, (D)Phe, Ala, Aib, a-MeLeu, ⁇ -Ala, phGlu, phAla,
  • PhLeu, phVal, ⁇ -spiro-pip Cha, Chg, Asp, Lys, Arg, Orn, Dab, Dap, a-DiethylGly, Glu, Phe, hLeu, Lys, Leu, Asn, Ogl, Pro, Gin, Asp, Arg, Ser, spiro-pip, Thr, Tba, Tic, Val or Tyr, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X14 is Asn, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Tic or Tyr,
  • X15 is Gly, (D)Ala, (D)Asn, (D)Asp, Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Phe, (D)Thr, Ala, AEA, Asp, Glu, Phe,
  • X16 is absent, Gly, Ala, Asp, Ser, Pro, Asn or Thr, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X17 is absent, Glu, Ser, Gly or Gin, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X18 is absent or any amino acid
  • X19 is absent or any amino acid
  • X20 is absent or any amino acid.
  • X10 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, Phe, His, Trp, Thr, Tic, Tyr, 4-pyridylAla, Octgly, a Phe analog or a Tyr analog, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X11 is 2-Nal, 1-Nal, 2,4- dimethylPhe, Bip, Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe (3,4-F 2 ), Phe(4-C0 2 H), phPhe(4-F), a-Me-Trp, 4- phenylcyclohexyl, Phe(4-CF 3 ), a-MePhe, phNal, phPhe, phTyr, phTrp, Nva(5-phenyl), Phe, His
  • X3 is present.
  • X3 is Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, (D)Gln.
  • X3 is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • X1 and X2 are absent and X3 is present.
  • X5 is Gin, Ala, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Cit Glu, Phe, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, a-Me-Lys, a-Me-Orn, N-Me- Gln, N-Me-Arg, a-MeSer, Orn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, or Val.
  • X5 is Gin, Ala, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, aMe-Lys, aMe-Orn, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, or Val.
  • X5 is Gin or Asn.
  • X6 is Thr, Asp, Glu, Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, or Ser.
  • X7 is Trp.
  • X8 is Gin, Glu, Phe, Lys, Asn, Pro, Arg, Val, Thr, or Trp.
  • X10 is a Tyr analog or a Phe analog. In particular embodiments, X10 is a Phe analog.
  • X10 is selected from hPhe, Phe(4- OMe), a-Me-Phe, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-phenoxy), Phe(4-guanadino), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-F), Phe(3,5 DiF), Phe(CH 2 C0 2 H), Phe(penta-F), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ -diPheAla, Phe(4-N 3 ) and Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]. In particular embodiments, X10 is Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is selected from hPhe, Phe(4- OMe), a-Me-Phe, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-phenoxy), Phe(4-guanadino), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-F), Phe(3,5 DiF), Phe(CH 2 C0 2 H), Phe(penta-F), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ -diPheAla, Phe(4-N 3 ) and Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe).
  • X10 is a Tyr analog
  • X10 is selected from hTyr, a-MeTyr, N-Me-Tyr, Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], and bhTyr.
  • X10 is selected from hTyr, a-MeTyr, N-Me-Tyr, Tyr(3-tBu), and bhTyr.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4- CONH 2 ), or 2-Nal. In certain embodiments, X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]. In certain embodiments, X10 is not Tyr.
  • X11 is a Trp analog. In particular embodiments, X11 is 2-Nal or 1 -Nal. In certain embodiments, X11 is 2-Nal.
  • X12 is Aib, a-MeLys or a-MeLeu.
  • X4 or X9 is Pen.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • the peptide inhibitor of Formula II is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor of Formula II is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9.
  • the intramolecular bond is a disulfide bond.
  • X4 and X9 are both Pen.
  • the peptide inhibitor of Formula II is linear or not cyclized.
  • the linear peptide inhibitor of Formula I, X4 and/or X9 are any amino acid.
  • one or more, two or more, or all three of X1, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X1 is absent.
  • X1 and X2 are absent.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula II one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or all of X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula I one or more, two or more, three or more, or all of X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more, two or more, or all three of X17, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more of XI, X2 and X3 are absent; and one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X18 is (D)-Lys. In certain embodiments, X18 is (D)-Lys and X17 is absent.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of the following features: X5 is Asn, Arg or Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; and X8 is Gin.
  • X4 is Pen; X5 is Gin, Asn or Arg; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp, 5-hydroxy-Trp, 6-chloro- Trp, N-MeTrp, alpha-Me-Trp, or 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-norharman; X8 is Gin; and X9 is Pen.
  • X5 is Gin.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features:
  • X10 is Tyr, a Phe analog, a Tyr analog or 2-Nal;
  • X11 is Trp, 5- hydroxy-Trp, 6-chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, alpha-Me-Trp, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydro-norharman, 2-Nal or 1- Nal;
  • X12 is Aib, a-MeLys, a-MeOrn and a-MeLeu;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Phe or Asn;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser or Ala; and
  • X16 is absent or AEA.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(CONH 2 ), or 2-Nal.
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • X10 is not Tyr.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, or eleven of the following features:
  • X5 is Arg or Gin;
  • X6 is Thr;
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X8 is Gin;
  • X10 is a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal or 1-Nal;
  • X12 is Aib, a-MeLys or a-MeOrn;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Asn;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser or Ala; and
  • X16 is absent or AEA.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • both X4 and X9 are Pen.
  • the peptide is cyclized via X4 and X9; X4 and X9 are Pen; X5 is Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Tyr, a Phe analog or 2-Nal; X11 is Trp, 2-Nal or 1-Nal; X12 is Arg, a-MeLys, a-MeOrn, or a-MeLeu; X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac); X14 is Phe or Asn; X15 is Gly, Ser or Ala; and X16 is absent.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-OMe) or 2-Nal. In certain embodiments, X10 is Phe(4-OMe). In certain embodiments, X10 is not Tyr. In certain embodiments, X11 is 2-Nal or 1 -Nal. In certain embodiments, X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide is cyclized via X4 and X9; X4 and X9 are Pen; X5 is Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Tyr, Phe(4- OMe) or 2-Nal; X11 is Trp, 2-Nal or 1-Nal; X12 is Arg, a-MeLys or a-MeOrn; X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac); X14 is Phe or Asn; X15 is Gly; and X16 is absent.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide is cyclized via X4 and X9; X4 and X9 are Pen; X5 is Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]; X11 is Trp, 2-Nal or 1-Nal; X12 is a-MeLys, a-MeOrn, or a- MeLeu; X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac); X14 is Asn; X15 is Gly, Ser or Ala; and X16 is absent.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X10 is not Tyr.
  • the present invention includes a peptide, optionally 8 to 35, 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids in length, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of having a core sequence of Formula lib:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue; and XaalO is a Phe analogue, wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • X10 is a Phe analog selected from a-Me-Phe, Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-guanadino).
  • XaalO is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • XaalO is Phe(4-OMe).
  • the peptide is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between Pen at Xaa4 and Pen at Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula II, and wherein in certain embodiments, XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • a peptide of Formula lib further comprises an amino acid bound to the N-terminal Pen residue.
  • the bound amino acid is Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln. In certain embodiments, it is is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the present invention includes a peptide, optionally 8 to 35, 8 to 20, 8 to 16, or 8 to 12 amino acids in length, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula lie:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue; and XaalO is Tyr, a Phe analog, a-Me-Tyr, a-Me-Trp or 2-Nal, wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], a-Me-Tyr, a-Me- Phe, a-Me-Trp or 2-Nal.
  • XaalO is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe(CONH 2 ), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or 2-Nal.
  • XaalO is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)] or 2-Nal.
  • Xaal O is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • Xaal O is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(CONH 2 ).
  • XaalO is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • XaalO is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]. In certain embodiments, XaalO is not Tyr. In certain embodiments, the peptide is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between Pen at Xaa4 and Pen at Xaa9. In particular embodiments, the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula II, and wherein in certain embodiments, XI, X2 and X3 are absent. In particular embodiments, the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R. In certain embodiments, a peptide of Formula lie further comprises an amino acid bound to the N-terminal Pen residue.
  • the bound amino acid is Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln. In certain embodiments, it is is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the present invention includes a peptide, optionally 8 to 35, 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids in length, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula lid:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue.
  • the peptide comprises a disulfide bond between Xaa4 and Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula I, and wherein in certain embodiments, X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • a peptide of Formula lid further comprises an amino acid bound to the N-terminal Pen residue.
  • the bound amino acid is Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln. In certain embodiments, it is is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the peptide inhibitor has a structure shown in any of Tables 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 8, 11 or 15 or comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in Tables 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 8, 1 1 or 15.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, wherein the peptide inhibitor has the structure of Formula III: R x -X-R 2 (III)
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, a C1 -C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C 1-C20 alkanoyl, an alkylsulphonate, an acid, ⁇ -Glu or pGlu, appended to the N- terminus, and including PEGylated versions (e.g., 200 Da to 60,000 Da), alone or as a spacer of any of the foregoing;
  • R 2 is a bond, OH or NH 2 ;
  • X is an amino acid sequence of 8 to 20 amino acids or 8 to 35 amino acids
  • X comprises or consists of the sequence of Formula Ilia:
  • X1 is absent or any amino acid
  • X2 is absent or any amino acid
  • X3 is absent or any amino acid
  • X4 is Abu, Pen, or Cys
  • X5 is any amino acid
  • X6 is any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, Bip, Gin, His, Glu(Bzl), 4-Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, oc-MeTrp, 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydro-norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-(OC3 ⁇ 4) 2 ), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ - diPheAla, Phe(4-tBu), Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or Octgly, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X8 is any amino acid
  • X9 is Abu, Pen, or Cys
  • X10 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, Phe, His, Trp, Thr, Tic, Tyr, 4- pyndylAla, Octgly a Phe analog or a Tyr analog (optionally, Phe(3,4-F 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), F(3-Me), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-(acetyl-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-Cl), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(4-Me), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-N 3 ), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl)), or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X11 is 2-Nal, 1-Nal, 2,4-dimethylPhe, Bip, 4-phenylcyclohexyl, Glu(Bzl), 4- Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(3,4-F 2 ), phPhe(4-F), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, a-MeTrp, 1,2,3,4 -tetrahydro- norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Dimethoxy), Phe(4-CF 3 ), Phe(2,3-Cl 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(2,3-F 2 ),Phe(4-F), 4-phenylcyclohexylalanine
  • X12 is oc-MeLys, a-MeOrn, a-MeLeu, MeLeu, Aib, (D)Ala, (D)Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Asp, (D)Phe, (D)Thr, 3-Pal, Aib, ⁇ -Ala, phGlu, phAla, phLeu, phVal, ⁇ -spiro-pip, Cha, Chg, Asp, Dab, Dap, a-DiethylGly, Glu, Phe, hLeu, hArg, hLeu, He, Lys, Leu, Asn, N-MeLeu, N-MeArg, Ogl, Orn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr or Tie, amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran (THP), Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, or a corresponding
  • X13 is Lys Lys(Ac), (D)Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Thr, (D)Phe, Ala, Aib, a-MeLeu, pAla, phGlu, phAla, PhLeu, phVal, ⁇ -spiro-pip, Cha, Chg, Asp, Arg, Orn, Dab, Dap, a-DiethylGly, Glu, Phe, hLeu, Lys, Leu, Asn, Ogl, Pro, Gin, Asp, Arg, Ser, spiro-pip, Thr, Tba, Tic, Val or Tyr, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X14 is Asn, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Lys, Lys (Ac), Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Tic, Asp or Tyr, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X15 is Gly, (D)Ala, (D)Asn, (D)Asp, Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Phe, (D)Thr, Ala, AEA, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, Lys, Leu, Pro, Gin, Arg, ⁇ -Ala, or Ser, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X16 is absent, Gly, Ala, Asp, Ser, Pro, Asn or Thr, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X17 is absent, Glu, Ser, Gly or Gin, or a corresponding ⁇ -methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing;
  • X18 is absent or any amino acid
  • X19 is absent or any amino acid
  • X20 is absent or any amino acid.
  • X14 is Asn, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Lys, Lys (Ac), Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, Tic, or Tyr, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing
  • X7 is Trp, Bip, Gin, His, Glu(Bzl), 4- Phenylbenzylalanine, Tic, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-OMe), 5-Hydroxy-Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, N-MeTrp, oc-MeTrp, 1 ,2,3,4 -tetrahydro-norharman, Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4- CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Dimethoxy), Phe(4-CF 3 ), ⁇ -diPheAla, Phe(4-tBu), Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or Octgly, or a corresponding a-methyl amino acid form of any of the foregoing; X10 is 1 -Nal, 2-Nal,
  • X3 is present.
  • X3 is Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln. In certain embodiments, it is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • X5 is Gin, Ala, Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-M-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, or Val.
  • X6 is Thr, Asp, Glu, Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, or Thr.
  • X8 is Gin, Glu, Phe, Lys, Asn, Pro, Arg, Val, Thr, or Trp.
  • X10 is a Tyr analog or a Phe analog.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe), Phe(CONH 2 ) or Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is a Tyr analog or a Phe analog.
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe) or Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is selected from hPhe, Phe(4-OMe), a-MePhe, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-0-Bzl)), Phe(4- guanadino), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-F), Phe(3,5 DiF), Phe(CH 2 C0 2 H), Phe(penta-F), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-CF3), ⁇ -diPheAla, Phe(4-N 3 ) and Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(CONH 2 ).
  • X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)] or Phe(CONH 2 ).
  • X10 is selected from hTyr, N-Me- Tyr, Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-OMe) and bhTyr. In particular embodiments, X10 is Phe(4-OMe).
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4- CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH2), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-carboxy), Phe[4- (2aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-guanadino).
  • X10 is not Tyr.
  • X11 is Trp or a Trp analog.
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1 -Nal.
  • the peptide inhibitor of Formula III is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9.
  • the intramolecular bond is a thioether bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor of Formula III is linear or not cyclized.
  • X4 and/or X9 are any amino acid.
  • one or more, two or more, or all three of X1, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X1 is absent.
  • X1 and X2 are absent.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or all of X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more, two or more, three or more, or all of X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more, two or more, or all three of X17, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one or more of XI, X2 and X3 are absent; and one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • one of X4 or X9 is Abu, and the other of X4 or X9 is not Abu.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, or four of the following features: X5 is Arg or Gin; X6 is Thr; X7 is Trp; and X8 is Gin.
  • X5 is Gin
  • X6 is Thr
  • X7 is Trp
  • X8 is Gin.
  • X5 is Gin.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features:
  • X10 is Tyr or a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-OBzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Arg, hLeu, (D)Asn, or any alpha methyl amino acids including, Aib, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu or a-MeOrn;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Phe or Asn;
  • X15 is ⁇ -Ala, Gin, Gly, Ser, Ala; and
  • X16 is absent or AEA.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features:
  • X10 is Tyr or a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4- guanidino), Phe(4-OBzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Arg, hLeu, (D)Asn, or any alpha methyl amino acids including, Aib, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu or a-MeOrn;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Phe or Asn;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Ala; and
  • X16 is absent or AEA.
  • the Phe analog is Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH2), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-carboxy), Phe[4-(2aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-guanadino).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1 -Nal.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features:
  • X10 is Tyr or a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(4-OBzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Arg, hLeu, (D)Asn, 4-amino- 4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a- MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal
  • X13 is Lyl
  • the Phe analog is Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-C12), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-carboxy), Phe(4-(2aminoethoxy)) or Phe(4-guanadino).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, or eleven of the following features:
  • X5 is Arg or Gin;
  • X6 is Thr;
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X8 is Gin;
  • X10 is a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guanidino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Aib, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu, 4- amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Agp, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeL
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, or eleven of the following features:
  • X5 is Arg or Gin;
  • X6 is Thr;
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X8 is Gin;
  • X10 is a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4- guanidino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Aib, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu or a-MeOrn;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Phe or Asn;
  • X15 is Gly, Ser, Ala;
  • the Phe analog is Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(4-OMe), Phe[4-(2aminoethoxy)], Phe(4- CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-C0 2 H), or Phe(4- guanadino).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, or eleven of the following features:
  • X5 is Arg or Gin;
  • X6 isThr;
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X8 is Gin;
  • X10 is Tyr or a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3- tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Arg, hLeu, (D)Asn, 4- amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a- Me
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula III comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, or eleven of the following features:
  • X5 is Arg or Gin;
  • X6 isThr;
  • X7 is Trp;
  • X8 is Gin;
  • X10 is Tyr or a Phe analog;
  • X11 is Trp, 2-Nal, 1-Nal, Phe(4-0-Allyl), Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe(Bzl) or Phe(4-Me);
  • X12 is Arg, hLeu, (D)Asn, a-MeLys, a-MeLeu or a-MeOrn, Aib;
  • X13 is Lys, Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Phe or Asn
  • the Phe analog is Phe(4-OBzl), Phe(40Me), Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4- tBu), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4-(2-aminoethoxy)) or Phe(4- guanidino).
  • X11 is 2-Nal or 1-Nal.
  • XI, X2 and X3 are absent, n certain embodiments, X4 is Abu and X9 is Cys.
  • the present invention includes a peptide of 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula Illb:
  • Xaa4 and Xaa9 are each independently selected from Abu and Cys, wherein Xaa4 and Xaa9 are not both the same; Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue; XaalO is Tyr, a Phe analog or 2-Nal, and Xaal 1 is 2-Nal or Trp, wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • Xaal O is Phe(4-OMe), 2-Nal, or Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)].
  • XaalO is Phe(4-OMe).
  • Xaa7 is Phe[4- (2-aminoethoxy)].
  • Xaal l is 2-Nal.
  • the peptide is cyclized via Xaa4 and Xaa9.
  • the Phe analog is Phe[4- (2aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-OMe).
  • Xaa4 is Abu and Xaa9 is Cys, and the peptide is cyclized via Xaa4 and Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula III, and wherein in certain embodiments, XI, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • a peptide of Formula Illb comprises a Glu,(D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2- Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln bound to Xaa4. In certain embodiments, it is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the present invention includes a peptide of 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula IIIc:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue; and wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • the peptide is cyclized via Abu at Xaa4 and Cys at Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula III, and wherein in certain embodiments, X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • a peptide of Formula IIIc comprises a Glu, (D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln bound to Abu. In certain embodiments, it is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the present invention includes a peptide of 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula Hid:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue;
  • Xaal O is a modified Phe; and wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • the modified Phe is Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4- CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-NH 2 ), PHe(CONH 2 ) or Phe(4-Me).
  • the modified Phe is Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-guamdino), Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-C0 2 H), Phe(4- CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-NH 2 ), or Phe(4-Me).
  • Xaal O is Phe[4-(2- aminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-OMe).
  • XaalO is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • the peptide is cyclized via Abu at Xaa4 and Cys at Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula III, and wherein in certain embodiments, XI, X2 and X3 are absent. In particular embodiments, the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL- 23R.
  • a peptide of Formula Hid comprises a Glu, (D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln bound to Abu. In certain embodiments, it is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • the present invention includes a peptide, optionally 8 to 20, 8 to 16 or 8 to 12 amino acids, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of a core sequence of Formula Hie:
  • Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue.
  • the peptide is cyclized via Abu at Xaa4 and Cys at Xaa9.
  • the peptide is a peptide inhibitor of Formula III, and wherein in certain embodiments, X1, X2 and X3 are absent.
  • the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • a peptide of Formula Illb comprises a Glu, (D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2- Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln bound to Abu. In certain embodiments, it is (D)Arg or (D)Phe.
  • Xaa5 and Xaa8 is Gin. In one embodiment, Xaa6 is Thr. In certain embodiments, the peptide is cyclized via Abu at Xaa4 and Cys at Xaa9.
  • the peptide inhibitor has a structure shown in any of Tables 5A-5C or comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in Tables 5A-5C.
  • the present invention provides a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Vf): X1 -X2-X3-Abu-X5-X6-X7-X8-Cys-Xl 0-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20
  • X2 is absent or X2 is D-Asp, E, R, D-Arg, F, D-Phe, 2-Nal, T, L, D-Gln, or D-Asn;
  • X3 is D-Arg
  • X5 is N, Q, Cit, Lys, or a Lys conjugate (e.g., Lys(IVA), Lys(biotin), Lys(octanyl), Lys(Palm), Lys(PEG), Lys(PEG8), Lys(PEGl 1 -Palm), Lys(Ac));
  • Lys(IVA) Lys(biotin), Lys(octanyl), Lys(Palm), Lys(PEG), Lys(PEG8), Lys(PEGl 1 -Palm), Lys(Ac)
  • X6 is T, S or V
  • X7 is W, 1-Nal, or 2-Nal;
  • X8 is Q, Cit, N, Aib or Lys(Ac);
  • X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe[4-(2-acetylaminoethoxy)] or Phe(4-CONH 2 );
  • X1 I is 2-Nal;
  • X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Aib, ocMeLeu, ocMeLys, or an ocMeLys conjugate (e.g., aMeLys(Ac), ocMeLys(PEG4-Palm), ocMeLys(PEG4-
  • X13 is Q, E, Cit or a Lys conjugate (e.g., Lys(Ac), Lys(PEG4-isoGlu-Palm), Lys(PEG4-octanyl), Lys(PEG4-Palm), Lys(biotin), Lys(octanyl), Lys(Palm), Pys(PEG8), or Lys(PEGl l-Palm));
  • Lys conjugate e.g., Lys(Ac), Lys(PEG4-isoGlu-Palm), Lys(PEG4-octanyl), Lys(PEG4-Palm), Lys(biotin), Lys(octanyl), Lys(Palm), Pys(PEG8), or Lys(PEGl l-Palm));
  • X14 is N, Cit, Q, L, G, S, Aib, F, 2-Nap, N-Me-Ala, R, W, nLeu, Tic or a Lys conjugate (e.g., Lys(Ac));
  • X15 is N, Cit, Q, pAla, Lys(Ac) or Aib; and X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X2 is D-Asp, E, R, D-Arg, F, D-Phe, 2-Nal, T, L, D-Gln, or
  • the present invention provides a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein the peptide inhibitor comprises an amino acid sequence of Formula (Vh): X1 -X2-X3-Abu-X5-X6-X7-X8-Cys-Xl 0-Xl 1 -X12-X13-X14-X15-X16-X17-X18-X19-X20
  • X4 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen, Abu, Ser, hSer or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X9;
  • X5 is Ala, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn, Gin, Arg, Ser, Glu or Thr;
  • X6 is Thr, Ser, Asp, He or any amino acid
  • X7 is Trp, 6-Chloro-Trp, 1 -Nap or 2-Nap;
  • X8 is Glu, Gin, Asn, Lys(Ac), Cit, Cav, Lys(N-s-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L-y-glutamyl)), or Lys(N-8- Palmitoyl;
  • X9 is Cys, hCys, Pen, hPen Abu, or any amino acid or chemical moiety capable of forming a bond with X4;
  • X10 is 2-Nal, a Phe analog, Tyr, or a Tyr analog;
  • X11 is 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Phe(3,4-dimethoxy), 5-HydroxyTrp, Phe(3,4-C12), Trp or Tyr(3-tBu);
  • X12 is Aib, 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, any alpha- methylamino acid, alpha-ethyl- amino acid, Ache, Acvc, Acbc Acpc, 4-amino-4-carboxy-piperidine, 3 -Pal, Agp, ⁇ -DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-MeLeu, a-MeOrn,
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized via a bond, e.g., a thioether bond, between X4 and X9.
  • the peptide inhibitor inhibits the binding of an interleukin-23 (IL-23) to an IL-23 receptor.
  • X1, X2 and X3 are absent. In certain embodiments, X1 and X2 are absent. In certain embodiments, X1 is a D-amino acid or absent. In certain embodiments, X2 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X5 is Ala, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, Cit, Dap, Dab, Dap(Ac), Gly, Lys, Asn, N-MeGln, N-MeArg, Orn, Gin, Arg, Ser, or Thr;
  • X5 is N, X6 is T, X7 is W, or X8 is Q. In certain embodiments, X5 is N, X6 is T, X7 is W, and X8 is Q.
  • X5 is Q
  • X6 is T
  • X7 is W
  • X8 is Q
  • X5 is Q
  • X6 is T
  • X7 is W
  • X8 is Q
  • X5 is N
  • X6 is T
  • X7 is W
  • X8 is Cit.
  • X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)].
  • X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Aib, ocMeLeu, or ocMeLys. In certain embodiments, X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran.
  • X13 is E or Lys(Ac). In certain embodiments, X13 is Lys(Ac).
  • X14 is Asn, Gin, Lys(Ac), Cit, Cav, Lys(N-8-(N-a-Palmitoyl-L- ⁇ -glutamyl)), Lys(N-8-Palmitoyl), or any amino acid;
  • X15 is ⁇ -Ala, Asn, Gly, Gin, Ala, Ser, Aib, or Cit.
  • X14 is N.
  • X15 is N.
  • X16 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X17 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X18 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X19 is a D-amino acid or absent.
  • X20 is a D- amino acid or absent.
  • X2 is absent; X3 is absent; X5 is Q, X6 is T, X7 is W, and X8 is Q; X10 is Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)]; X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Aib, ocMeLeu, or ocMeLys; X13 is E or Lys(Ac); X14 is N; and X15 is N. In certain embodiments, X12 is 4- amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran and X13 is Lys(Ac).
  • any of the amino acids of the peptide inhibitor are connected by a linker moiety, e.g., a PEG.
  • the N- terminus of the peptide inhibitor comprises an Ac group.
  • the C-terminus of the peptide inhibitor comprises an NH 2 group.
  • the present invention includes a peptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in any of the Table 4s or Table 5 s, or a peptide inhibitor comprising or consisting of a structure shown in any of the Table 4s or Table 5s (or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof).
  • the peptide does not include the conjugated moieties but does include the Abu residue.
  • the peptide or inhibitor comprises a thioether bond between the two Abu and Cys residues, or between the two outermost amino acids within the brackets folloing the term "cyclo", which indicated the presence of a cyclic structure.
  • the inhibitor is an acetate salt.
  • the peptide sequence of illustrative inhibitors is shown in Tables 4 and 5 from N-term to C-term, with conjugated moieties, and N-terminal Ac and/or C-terminal NH 2 groups indicated.
  • the cyclic structure is indicated by "Cyclo” as illustrated in Table 5, indicating the presence of a thioether bond between the bracketed Abu at X4 and Cys at X9.
  • the present invention includes a peptide inhibitor of an interleukin-23 receptor, wherein the peptide inhibitor has the structure of Formula IV:
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, an C1-C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl C1-C6 alkyl, a C1-C20 alkanoyl, and including PEGylated versions alone or as spacers of any of the foregoing;
  • R 2 is a bond, OH or NH 2 ;
  • X is an amino acid sequence of 8 to 20 amino acids, comprising or consisting of the sequence of Formula IVa:
  • X5 is Gin, Ala, Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, N-Me- Ala, N-M-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, N-Me-Arg, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr, or Val;
  • X6 is Thr, Asp, Glu, Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, or Thr;
  • X7 is Trp, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or OctGly;
  • X8 is Gin, Glu, Phe, Lys, Asn, , Pro, Arg, Thr, or Trp;
  • X9 is Dap, Dab, Glu, Asp, (D)-Asp or (D)-Dab;
  • X10 is Tyr(OMe)Phe(4-OMe), 1-Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, a-MePhe, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr), Glu, Phe, His, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), hTyr, N-Me-Tyr, Trp, Phe(4-CONH 2 ), Phe(4-phenoxy), Thr, Tic, Tyr, Tyr(3-tBu), Phe(4-tBu), Phe(4-CN), Phe(4-Br), Phe(4-NH 2 ), Phe(4-F), Phe(3,5- F 2 ),Phe(penta-F), Phe(3,4-Cl 2 ), Phe(4-CF 3 ), Bip, Cha, 4-pyridylalan
  • X20 is absent or any amino acid.
  • X12 is oc-MeLys, a-MeOrn, a-MeLeu, Aib, (D)Ala, (D)Asn, (D)Leu, (D)Asp, (D)Phe, (D)Thr, 3 -Pal, Aib, ⁇ -Ala, ⁇ -Glu, phAla, phLeu, phVal, ⁇ - spiro-pip, Cha, Chg, Asp, Dab, Dap, a-DiethylGly, Glu, Phe, hLeu, hArg, hLeu, He, Lys, Leu, Asn, N-MeLeu, N-MeArg, Ogl, Orn, Pro, Gin, Arg, Ser, Thr or Tie; X13 is Lys(Ac), (D)Asn, (D)Leu, Aib, (D)A
  • X5 is Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, N-MeArg, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Val;
  • X6 is Glu, Arg, Ser;
  • X7 is Trp, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or OctGly;
  • X8 is Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr, Trp;
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe), 1 -Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, a-MePhe, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, His, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), hTyr, N-
  • X5 is Cys, Cit, Asp, Dab, Dap, Gly, His, hCys, Lys, Met, Asn, N-Me-Ala, N-Me-Asn, N-Me-Lys, N-Me-Gln, N-Me- Arg, Orn, Pro, Pen, Gin, Val;
  • X6 is Glu, Arg, Ser;
  • X7 is Trp, Glu, Gly, He, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr or OctGly;
  • X8 is Phe, Asn, Pro, Arg, Thr, Trp;
  • X10 is Phe(4-OMe), 1 -Nal, 2-Nal, Aic, a-MePhe, Bip, (D)Cys, Cha, DMT, (D)Tyr, Glu, His, hPhe(3,4-dimethoxy), hTyr, N
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide is cyclized through an intramolecular bond between X4 and X9.
  • the intramolecular bond is an amide bond.
  • the peptide inhibitor is linear or not cyclized.
  • a peptide inhibitor of Formula IV one or more, two or more, or all three of XI, X2, and X3 are absent.
  • X3 is Glu, (D)Glu, Arg, (D)Arg, Phe, (D)Phe, 2-Nal, Thr, Leu, or (D)Gln. In certain embodiments, X3 is (D)Arg or (D)Phe. [00485] In particular embodiments of a peptide inhibitor of Formula IV, one or more, two or more, or all three of X17, X19 and X20 are absent.
  • X4 is Dap, Dab, or (D)Dab
  • X9 is Glu, (D)Asp, or Asp.
  • X4 is Glu, (D)Asp or Asp
  • X9 is Dab, Dap or (D)Dab.
  • X18 is (D)-Lys.
  • X17 is absent and X18 is (D)-Lys.
  • the peptide inhibitor includes one or more, two or more, three or more, or all four of the following features: X5 is Gin; X6 isThr; X7 is Trp; and X8 is Gin.
  • the peptide inhibitor includes one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features:
  • X10 is Tyr, Phe[4-(2-aminoethoxy)], Phe(4-CONH 2 ) or Phe(4- OMe);
  • X11 is 2-Nal or Trp;
  • X12 is 4-amino-4-carboxy-tetrahydropyran, Ache Acpc, Acbc, Acvc, Aib, a-DiethylGly, a-MeLys, a-MeLys(Ac), a-Me-Leu, a-MeOrn, a-MeSer, a-MeVal, or Arg;
  • X13 is Glu or Lys(Ac);
  • X14 is Asn;
  • X15 is Gly, Asn, or ⁇ -Ala; and
  • the peptide inhibitor includes one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, or seven of the following features: X10 is Tyr; X11 is Trp; X12 is Arg; X13 is Glu; X14 is Asn; X15 is Gly; and X16 is AEA.
  • the peptide inhibitor includes one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more ten or more or all of the following features: X5 is Gin; X6 isThr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Tyr; X11 is Trp; X12 is Arg; X13 is Glu or Lys(Ac); X14 is Asn; X15 is Gly; and X16 is AEA.
  • the peptide inhibitor includes one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more ten or more or all of the following features: X5 is Gin; X6 isThr; X7 is Trp; X8 is Gin; X10 is Tyr; X11 is Trp; X12 is Arg; X13 is Glu; X14 is Asn; X15 is Gly; and X16 is AEA.
  • the peptide is cyclized via X4 and X9; X5, X6, X7 and X8 are Gin, Thr, Trp, and Gin, respectively; and X10, X11 , X12, X13, X14, X15, and X16 are Tyr, Trp, Arg, Glu, Asn, Gly, and AEA, respectively.
  • the present invention includes a peptide of 8 to 20 amino acids, optionally cyclized, comprising or consisting of having a core sequence comprising:
  • Xaa4 and Xaa9 are each independently selected from Dap, Dab, Glu, Asp, (D)- Asp and(D)-Dab, wherein Xaa4 and Xaa9 are capable of forming an intramolecular bond, e.g., a cyclic amide; and Xaa5, Xaa6 and Xaa8 are any amino acid residue, wherein the peptide inhibits binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitor is a peptide inhibitor of Formula IV.
  • the peptide inhibits the binding of IL-23 to IL-23R.
  • the peptide inhibitor has a structure shown in Table 7 or comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in Table 7.
  • Certain illustrative peptide inhibitors of the present invention are also shown in any of Formulas (Va), (Vb), (Vc), (Vd), (Ve), (Vf), (Vg) and (Vh), and in Tables 2-5, which provide the amino acid sequence of selected peptide inhibitors. These peptide inhibitors are acetate salts.
  • any of the peptide inhibitors of the present invention may be further defined, e.g., as described below. It is understood that each of the further defining features described herein may be applied to any peptide inhibitors where the amino acids designated at particular positions allow the presence of the further defining feature.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized.
  • the peptide inhibitor or monomer subunit thereof is linear or not cyclized.
  • X4 and X9 can be any amino acid.
  • the peptide inhibitor is cyclized, e.g., through X4 and X9.
  • R 1 is a bond, hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl C1-C6 alkyl, or a C1-C20 alkanoyl, and including PEGylated versions alone or as spacers of any of the foregoing, e.g., acetyl. It is understood that the R 1 may replace or be present in addition to the typical amine group located at the amino terminus of a peptide. It is further understood that R 1 may be absent.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises an N- terminus selected from hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, a C6-C12 aryl, a C6-C12 aryl C1-C6 alkyl, or a C1-C20 alkanoyl, and including PEGylated versions alone or as spacers of any of the foregoing, e.g., acetyl.
  • R 1 or the N-terminal moiety is hydrogen.
  • R 1 is a bond, e.g., a covalent bond.
  • R 1 or the N-terminal moiety is selected from methyl, acetyl, formyl, benzoyl, trifluoroacetyl, isovaleryl, isobutyryl, octanyl, and the conjugated amides of lauric acid, hexadecanoic acid, and ⁇ -Glu-hexadecanoic acid.
  • R 1 or the N-terminal moiety is pGlu.
  • R 1 is hydrogen.
  • R 1 is acetyl, whereby the peptide inhibitor is acylated at its N-terminus, e.g., to cap or protect an N-terminal amino acid residue, e.g., an N-terminal Pen or Abu residue.
  • R 1 or the N- terminal moiety is an acid.
  • R 1 or the N-terminal moiety is an acid selected from acetic acid, formic acid, benzoic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, hexadecanoic acid, 4-Biphenylacetic acid, 4- fluorophenylacetic acid, gallic acid, pyroglutamic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, oxalic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, palmitic acid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl) benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, 4-methylbicyclo(2.2.2)
  • R 1 or the N- terminal moiety is an alkylsulfonic acid selected from methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1 ,2-ethane-disulfonic acid, and 2- hydroxyethanesulfonic acid.
  • R 1 or the N-terminal moiety is an arylsulfonic acid selected from benzenesulfonic acid, 4- chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4- toluenesulfonic acid, and camphorsulfonic acid.
  • a peptide of the present invention comprises a conjugation to an acidic compound such as, e.g., isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and the like
  • an acidic compound such as, e.g., isovaleric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and the like
  • the present application references such a conjugation as isovaleric acid-[Pen]-QTWQ[Pen]-[Phe(4-OMe)]-[2-Nal]-[a-MeLys]-[Lys(Ac)]-NG-NH 2 .
  • Reference to the conjugation in its acid form is intended to encompass the form present in the peptide inhibitor.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises a C-terminus (e.g., R 2 or the C- termial moiety) selected from a bond, OH or NH 2 .
  • R 2 is a bond.
  • R or the C-terminal moiety is OH or NH 2. It is understood that the R or the C- terminal moiety may replace or be present in addition to the carboxyl group typically located at the carboxy terminus of a peptide. It is further understood that R 2 may be absent.
  • X comprises or consists of 7 to 35 amino acid residues, 8 to 35 amino acid residues, 9 to 35 amino acid residues, 10 to 35 amino acid residues, 7 to 25 amino acid residues, 8 to 25 amino acid residues, 9 to 25 amino acid residues, 10 to 25 amino acid residues, 7 to 20 amino acid residues, 8 to 20 amino acid residues, 9 to 20 amino acid residues, 7 to 18 amino acid residues, 8 to 18 amino acid residues, 9 to 18 amino acid residues, or 10 to 18 amino acid residues.
  • X either or both does not comprise or does not consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in US Patent Application Publication No. US2013/0029907. In certain embodiments of any of the Formulae set forth herein, X either or both does not comprise or does not consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in US Patent Application Publication No. US2013/0172272.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or each monomer subunit thereof comprises or consists of at least 3, at least 4 at least 5, at least 6, or at least 7 amino acid residues carboxy terminal of the X9 amino acid residue.
  • the peptide inhibitor comprises 3 to 1 1, 3 to 10, 3 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 7, 3 to 6, 3 to 5, 3 to 4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 amino acid residues carboxy terminal of the X9 amino acid residue.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or each monomer subunit thereof comprises or consists of 4 amino acid residues between X4 and X9.
  • both X4 and X9 are cysteines.
  • a peptide inhibitor of any of the Formulae described herein comprises the amino acid residues or moieties indicated as X4-X15.
  • the peptide inhibitor does not include X1 -X3 or X16-X20.
  • the peptide inhibitors include an N-terminal extension of one to three amino acid residues corresponding to any of X1-X3.
  • any one or more of XI, X2 and X3, when present, are a D-amino acid.
  • the peptide inhibitors include an C-terminal extension of one to five amino acid residues corresponding to any of X16-X20.
  • any one or more of X16, X17, X18, X19 and X20 when present, are a D-amino acid.
  • Illustrative amino acid residues that may be present in the N-terminal and/or C-terminal extensions are shown in Tables 3 and 5. These tables each show a first peptide inhibitor, with derivates thereof comprising N-terminal extensions, C-terminal extensions, and/or conjugated moieties.
  • the present invention includes derivatives of any fo the peptide inhibitors described herein comprising one or more such N-terminal extension, C-terminal extension, and/or conjugated moiety.
  • any of the amino acid residues shown in the extended positions in Tables 3 and 5 may be present in any combination in a peptide inhibitor of the present invention.
  • the N-terminal and/or C-terminal extensions are associated with an increased half-life, e.g., upon administration to a subject.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or each monomer subunit thereof comprises the amino acid sequence motif, W-X-X- Y-W, e.g., at positions X7-X1 1.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or each monomer subunit thereof comprises the amino acid sequence motif, C-X-X-W-X-C-Y-W, e.g., at positions X4-X11.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or each monomer subunit thereof comprises the amino acid sequence motif, Pen-X-X-W-X-Pen-Y-W, e.g., at positions X4-X1 1.
  • the peptide inhibitor, or both monomer subunit thereof does not comprise the amino acid sequence motif, W-X-X-Y-W, e.g., at positions X7-X11, where X is any amino acid.

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CN201680049562.2A CN108348580B (zh) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 白细胞介素-23受体的肽抑制剂以及其治疗炎症性疾病的用途
US15/745,371 US10787490B2 (en) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases
MX2018000542A MX2018000542A (es) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Inhibidores peptidicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y su uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias.
UAA201801482A UA123772C2 (uk) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Пептидний інгібітор рецептора інтерлейкіну-23 та спосіб лікування запального захворювання кишечнику (ibd)
CA2991984A CA2991984A1 (en) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases
KR1020187004612A KR102513978B1 (ko) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 인터루킨-23 수용체의 펩티드 억제제 및 염증성 질환을 치료하기 위한 그의 용도
EP16825301.1A EP3341011A4 (en) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 PEPTIDINHIBITORS OF THE INTERLEUKIN 23 RECEPTOR AND THEIR USE FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY DISEASES
BR112018000691A BR112018000691A2 (pt) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 inibidores peptídicos do receptor de interleucina-23 e seu uso para tratar doenças inflamatórias
JP2018501178A JP6858174B2 (ja) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 インターロイキン２３受容体のペプチド阻害剤、および炎症性疾患を処置するためのそれらの使用
EA201890325A EA035733B9 (ru) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Пептидные ингибиторы рецептора интерлейкина-23 и их применение для лечения воспалительных заболеваний
CR20180029A CR20180029A (es) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Inhibidores peotídicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y su uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias
AU2016293619A AU2016293619B2 (en) 2015-07-15 2016-07-15 Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases
PH12018500086A PH12018500086A1 (en) 2015-07-15 2018-01-09 Peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory diseases
DO2018000010A DOP2018000010A (es) 2015-07-15 2018-01-10 Inhibidores peptídicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y su uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias
IL256827A IL256827A (en) 2015-07-15 2018-01-10 Peptide inhibitors of the interleukin-23 receptor and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases
NI201800008A NI201800008A (es) 2015-07-15 2018-01-11 Inhibidores peptídicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y su uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias
CONC2018/0000349A CO2018000349A2 (es) 2015-07-15 2018-01-15 Inhibidores peptídicos del receptor de interleucina 23
ECIEPI20182929A ECSP18002929A (es) 2015-07-15 2018-01-15 Inhibidores peptídicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y su uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias
SV2018005614A SV2018005614A (es) 2015-07-15 2018-01-15 Inhibidores peptidicos del receptor de interleucina 23 y uso para tratar enfermedades inflamatorias
HK19100122.0A HK1257747A1 (zh) 2015-07-15 2019-01-04 白細胞介素-23受體的肽抑制劑以及其治療炎症性疾病的用途
HK19101174.5A HK1259149A1 (zh) 2015-07-15 2019-01-23 白細胞介素-23受體的肽抑制劑以及其治療炎症性疾病的用途

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US14/800,627 US9624268B2 (en) 2014-07-17 2015-07-15 Oral peptide inhibitors of interleukin-23 receptor and their use to treat inflammatory bowel diseases
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