While at Temple University, we identified the active site of human adiponectin and optimized the sequence to obtain a first-in-class peptide agonist of adiponectin. At Allysta Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company dedicated to develop ADP355 as a human therapeutic, we showed that similar to the native protein, ADP355 has broad anti-inflammatory actions as well as promote epithelial cell (including corneal) regeneration following injury. In animal models ADP355 improves multiple dry eye measures and decreases inflammation on the ocular surface as well as shortens the time to healing following corneal injury. Allysta is advancing ADP355 (designated as ALY688), for the treatment of dry eye disease and plans to submit an investigational new drug application and initiate clinical studies in late 2019. In addition to developing ALY688 for ocular indications, we are advancing a systemic formulation of ADP355 for metabolic diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where adiponectin protein has been shown to play an important role in protecting against insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation and fat accumulation, as well as fibrosis.