Therapeutics & Vaccines
Treating Fungal Infections with New Forazoline Compounds
WARF: P130274US02
Inventors: Timothy Bugni, Thomas Wyche, David Andes, Douglas Braun
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing compounds isolated from a sea squirt bacterium that could be effective against Candida and other fungi.
Overview
Fungal infections range in severity from common athlete’s foot to life-threatening illness. Treatment can be very expensive. The cost of treating systemic Candida yeast infections exceeds $31,000 per patient in the United States. This fungus is responsible for afflictions like diaper rash, vaginal yeast infection and oral thrush.
Finding new agents to fight Candida and other fungal infections could be globally beneficial and profitable.
Finding new agents to fight Candida and other fungal infections could be globally beneficial and profitable.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed antifungal compounds isolated from Actinomadura, a bacterium found in a species of sea squirt. After extensive chemical isolation and characterization, the researchers identified a new class of compounds called ‘Forazolines’ that possess antifungal activity. Forazoline A was shown to be effective against Candida albicans in a mouse model.
Applications
- Developing new antifungal agents (cream, nasal spray, syrup, etc.) against Candida yeast and potentially other strains
Key Benefits
- Proven effective
- Forazoline is a natural product.
- Could be safely and flexibly administered to patients
Stage of Development
In a mouse model of C. albicans infection, Forazoline A was shown to reduce kidney fungal load by a log after eight hours of treatment. No toxic effects were observed at the concentrations used.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
For current licensing status, please contact Rafael Diaz at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9847