Background Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that usually appears in childhood without warning. Current treatment options involve the administration of various insulin analogs and auxiliary therapies. The global market for T1D treatment is over $25 billion and growing. T1D is caused by the immune-mediated destruction of insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas, which leads to an inability to regulate blood glucose levels. People with T1D depend on lifelong insulin injections and constant testing of blood glucose in order to survive. However even T1D patients who strictly control their blood sugar levels are at a high risk of developing devastating secondary conditions including blindness, kidney failure, and limb amputations. The incidence of T1D has been increasing at a rapid pace in recent years. Yet despite increased prevalence of T1D, treatment options remain limited to provision of exogenous insulin.
Technology Description Oregon State University is seeking a licensee to develop and commercialize a new family of compounds that target the Ah receptor for treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. The compounds are based on the parental compound 11-Cl-BBQ, the use of which is described PCT patent application No. US2015/057873, in U.S. patent No. 10,308,649, and in European patent app No. 15855322.2. A year-long collaboration with Praxis Biotech LLC led to the creation of a family of compounds that maintains Ah receptor activation and offers improved solubility and pharmacokinetics over the parental compounds. The new compounds are covered by a U.S. provisional patent application. This work provides the opportunity for a new immunomodulatory approach to suppressing the autoimmune response in T1D focuses on improving the number and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The Kerkvliet Laboratory was the first to identify the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a potential drug target for inducing Tregs to suppress undesirable immune responses.
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Applications
Status Patent pending (U.S. provisional patent application)