Oryn Therapeutics is in research and development of new classes of bioactive peptides as therapeutics for several clinical indications. The company has developed methods for synthetic and recombinant production of macrocyclic Orynotides that are stable, non-toxic, non-immunogenic, and non-immunosupressive. Orynotides are cyclic peptides which Oryn has endowed with the powers of theta defensins. These natural defenders, which some primates have, but humans lack, protect against inflammatory and infectious diseases. In preclinical models Orynotides are first-in-class agents for rheumatoid arthritis and several infectious diseases. In pre-clinical tests, they induce remission of rheumatoid arthritis. Oryn is also the corporate partner on a recently awarded five year NIH grant to the University of Southern California.