Animals, Agriculture & Food
Preventing Septic Shock and Death with Peptide Antibodies
WARF: P120312US01
Inventors: Mark Cook, Jordan Sand, Daniel Butz
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing methods for treating systemic inflammatory response syndromes, including sepsis, by inhibiting the sPLA2-IB digestion enzyme.
Overview
More than half a million people develop severe sepsis and 215,000 die each year, costing billions of dollars in the Unites States alone. Sepsis is a type of severe inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) triggered by a pathogenic microorganism. Animals and humans undergoing intensive (e.g., ventilated) healthcare are particularly vulnerable to infection, which can lead to fatal organ failure.
Current treatments focus on antibiotics, fluid replacement and fever drugs. Yet recent evidence suggests that addressing host inflammation could help prevent sepsis from progressing to shock and death.
Current treatments focus on antibiotics, fluid replacement and fever drugs. Yet recent evidence suggests that addressing host inflammation could help prevent sepsis from progressing to shock and death.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have identified gastrointestinal tract, e.g., mucosal, inflammation as a key factor in SIRS. From this breakthrough, they have developed oral peptide antibodies to control the inflammation and/or prevent translocation of intestinal luminal bacteria into systemic circulation.
The antibodies specifically bind sPLA2-IB, a pancreatic enzyme traditionally thought to only be involved in the digestion of dietary phospholipids. The antibodies are prepared using standard techniques and may be humanized or avian egg yolk antibodies. They are preferably administered as an oral pharmaceutical.
Applications
- Adjunct treatment for SIRS, including sepsis
Key Benefits
- Targets host inflammation
- Reduces the role of the gastrointestinal tract in driving sepsis progression
- Adds level of protection
- Pharmaceutical can be given easily and safely.
Additional Information
Related Technologies
For current licensing status, please contact Emily Bauer at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9842