Elamidetide is a small peptide composed of four amino acids, including one unnatural amino acid. In vivo, elamipretide can prevent oxidative damage of nerve cells and other cell types by targeting mitochondrial inner membrane, prevent mitochondrial depolarization, reduce apoptosis of islet cells, increase islet cell production, and improve the function after transplantation. The drugs with elamipretide as the main raw material have entered the third phase of clinical practice.
Elamipretide triacetate is an aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide that targets the mitochondrial intima and is an inhibitor of cardiolipin peroxidase. It easily penetrates cell membranes and has been used in therapeutic trials investigating Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.