L-aminocarnityl-succinyl-leucyl-argininal-diethylacetal

C-101 targets muscle cells by using a carnitine carrier molecule and inhibits calpain by attaching a leupeptin analogue onto the carrier. Leupeptin has been studied extensively in a variety of animal models and was shown to be an effective means of slowing or delaying muscle wasting. Carnitine is a compound present in skeletal muscle involved in the transfer of fatty acids across mitochondrial membranes. In C-101, the carnitine carrier molecule directs the leupeptin analogue into targeted cells where it inhibits the up-regulation of calpain. Therefore, by targeting a calpain inhibitor to muscle cells, it is believed that C-101 will prevent the degradation and promote the preservation of functional muscle.