MONTREAL, July 3rd, 2025 - Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world. For these children, each additional day in the womb can have a decisive impact on their health and quality of life. Today, a research team is proposing an effective and affordable solution to prevent premature births, presented in an article recently published in EMBO Molecular Medicine.
The result of nearly 15 years of research, the work led by PhD candidate France Côté under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Chemtob builds on the pioneering discoveries of biochemist Christiane Quiniou. She was the first to design peptides targeting the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, a cytokine essential to innate immunity and also involved in triggering premature labor. The team developed a peptide, named HSJ633, that could transform the management of prematurity. “This peptide is unique: it temporarily inhibits the harmful inflammatory effects of IL-6 while preserving its protective functions, such as cellular defense. It’s an unprecedented breakthrough,” explains Dr. Chemtob.
An Accessible and Effective Solution
Conventional treatments, which aim to slow uterine contractions, are often non-specific and associated with side effects for both mother and fetus. In contrast, HSJ633 is a molecule that is easy to produce, stable, and affordable, acting directly on uteroplacental inflammation—the main trigger of premature labor. A treatment could cost significantly less than the anti-IL-6 antibodies currently used in clinical settings (for other indications), making HSJ633 a very promising and safer alternative. It’s a solution accessible even to the most fragile healthcare systems.
The Result of a Long Scientific Journey
This breakthrough is the result of over a decade of rigorous research. Christiane Quiniou recalls: “The idea of targeting IL-6 came from our work on inflammation. When I developed those first peptides, I hoped they might one day make a difference. Seeing that intuition materialize in HSJ633 is deeply rewarding!”
Initially designed for other inflammatory diseases, the peptide has shown remarkable potential in preventing prematurity. “This small peptide does exactly what we hoped: it reduces inflammation without harming fetal development,” adds France Côté.
The effects of HSJ633 were validated in preclinical models simulating systemic inflammation. Administered before or after the onset of labor, the peptide prolonged gestation by several days while reducing damage to vital organs such as the lungs and intestines of newborns—organ protection that is highly desirable and absent in current treatments for prematurity. The results observed with HSJ633 suggest strong and lasting therapeutic potential.
A Concrete Hope for Families
“We hope HSJ633 will become a key tool in preventing prematurity. It’s a concrete response to a global issue,” concludes Dr. Chemtob. “It’s rare for an innovation to combine so much scientific, clinical, and human potential. Seizing this opportunity is a decisive step for the health of newborns and their families, here and around the world.”
Photo : Dr Sylvain Chemtob and France Côté © CHU Sainte-Justine (Véronique Lavoie)
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