A human erythropoietin-albumin fusion protein tailored for enhanced plasma half-life and delivery across mucosal surfaces.

EPO fused to an albumin FcRn-engaging variant (QMP) shows a 5.2-fold prolonged plasma half-life in human FcRn–expressing mice versus EPO fused to WT albumin after intravenous dosing.

• Why it matters: Short plasma half-life limits EPO dosing frequency and affects therapeutic utility and patient compliance, motivating longer-acting formulations and delivery across mucosal surfaces.
• What they did: The study genetically coupled EPO to QMP, assessed FcRn binding, compared pharmacokinetics after intravenous and subcutaneous dosing, and evaluated EPO receptor binding kinetics and in vivo erythrocyte responses versus darbepoetin alfa.
• The result: EPO-QMP matched darbepoetin alfa in EPO receptor binding kinetics, slowed EPO level decline and prolonged erythrocyte increases after intravenous dosing, and delivered 5-fold higher circulating EPO-QMP after intranasal administration.