C10349: Prevention and Treatment of Bacterial and Fungal Meningitis
Value Proposition:
Johns Hopkins University is currently seeking licensees for a method of preventing meningitis caused by bacterial or fungal infection. Meningitis is a serious and often deadly inflammation of the central nervous system. The most susceptible populations for fungal meningitis are those with weakened immune systems, leukemia or HIV patients. Cryptococcal fungus meningitis is a leading cause of HIV-related mortality in Africa. Currently available antifungal therapies can take months and are limited by kidney toxicity; therefore mortality rates from Cryptococcal meningitis are high. There is a high unmet medical need for safe, effective prevention and treatment for fungal and bacterial meningitis infections.
JHU scientists have determined a novel approach for the prevention of microbial meningitis using known compounds to prevent microbial infection of the brain. Advantages:
• Inhibitory compounds decrease penetration of microbes across blood vessels and into the brain to reduce fatal meningitis infections.
• Allows repurposing of known asthma drugs that are well-tolerated with few side effects for a novel approach to prevent and treat meningitis.
• Use of known anti-inflammatory compounds reduces need for extensive compound screens and development time to speed clinical use.
• Provides therapeutics that may be less toxic to immune-compromised patients to avoid further weakening the health of already ill patients.
Looking for Partners:
Therapeutic or prophylactic treatments for patients at risk for bacterial or fungal meningitis.
Publications/Patents:
US 8980917 - Methods for treating or preventing brain infections
US 9486442 - Methods for treating or preventing brain infections
