Novelty:This technology is a first of its kind, potential therapeutic in alleviating cognitive impairment (CI) as a result of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and related central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune diseases.
Value Proposition:
CI is a debilitating outcome of many CNS disorders, including MS. Currently, the high prevalence of CI and the extremely negative functional impact it causes remain unabated, causing many patients and their families to suffer unnecessarily. In fact, the minority of patients with MS are even screened by their treating neurologists for CI because of the widespread belief that there is nothing that can be done if cognitive dysfunction is identified. Currently there are no approved treatments addressing CI caused by MS. This innovative therapeutic fills the treatment gap found within the MS arsenal by using Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) inhibitors to ameliorate, treat and/or potentially reverse the cognitive impairment caused by CNS autoimmune diseases. Additional advantages include:
• Improved quality of life for patients and patients families
• Unencumbered by competing therapeutics treating the same effects
• Large potential within +$12 billion MS therapeutic market
• Possible indications for enhancing cognition in normal individuals
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a way of alleviating cognitive deficits in CNS autoimmune diseases by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme GCPII. GCPII is an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) to N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and glutamate. Over activity of GCPII causes increased amounts of glutamate, effectively causing neuronal injury. By inhibiting the activity of GCPII, researchers were able to observe improved learning and memory abilities in mice compared to subjects control counterparts.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a novel therapeutic for treating cognitive impairment caused by CNS autoimmune diseases.
Stage of Development: Pre-clinical
Data Availability: C57BL/6 mouse data available
Publications/Associated Cases:
