Drug Discovery & Development
Genetic Testing for Acquired Peripheral Neuropathy in Dogs
WARF: P160048US02
Inventors: Peter Muir, Susannah Sample, John Svaren
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in a method for predicting acquired peripheral neuropathy in dogs, which can serve as an animal model for human therapeutic development.
Overview
Peripheral neuropathies are a diverse group of diseases marked by degeneration of the peripheral nervous system. These diseases affect both humans and animals. In humans, the most common form is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), which affects about 1 in 2,500 people. Current treatments for CMT manage symptoms rather than modify the disease course. One barrier to developing new and better treatments is the lack of a large animal model.
A related disease called acquired peripheral neuropathy (APN) syndrome is common in certain dog breeds. This condition is also referred to as laryngeal paralysis. Labrador retrievers (the most common dog breed in the United States) represent about 70 percent of APN cases, although other breeds can be affected including golden retrievers, poodles and Irish setters. To date, no genetic test for the disease is commercially available.
A diagnostic test to predict the likelihood that a patient – human or canine – will exhibit peripheral neuropathy in their lifetime would be of significant value.
A related disease called acquired peripheral neuropathy (APN) syndrome is common in certain dog breeds. This condition is also referred to as laryngeal paralysis. Labrador retrievers (the most common dog breed in the United States) represent about 70 percent of APN cases, although other breeds can be affected including golden retrievers, poodles and Irish setters. To date, no genetic test for the disease is commercially available.
A diagnostic test to predict the likelihood that a patient – human or canine – will exhibit peripheral neuropathy in their lifetime would be of significant value.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that is predictive of APN syndrome in dogs, based on a genome-wide association study. Using a population of Labrador retrievers (56 cases and 26 controls), the researchers have shown that a SNP on CFA1 tags the causal variant for APN in the Labrador retriever breed.
Applications
- Genetic test for predicting dogs that will develop APN, for use in selective breeding programs and guiding treatment
- Identifying a large animal model for development of disease-modifying therapies in humans
Key Benefits
- Potential to become the first genetic test for APN – an economically significant veterinary disease
- Potential utility for human health (e.g., genetic model for human ALS research studies)
Stage of Development
The development of this technology was supported by WARF Accelerator. WARF Accelerator selects WARF's most commercially promising technologies and provides expert assistance and funding to enable achievement of commercially significant milestones. WARF believes that these technologies are especially attractive opportunities for licensing.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Emily Bauer at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9842