C11636: Novel Chymase Inhibitors for Treatment of AtherosclerosisNovelty:
This technology comprises of a series of compounds based on a novel scaffold allowing for selective inhibition of chymase, an enzyme implicated in the development of atheroscleriosis.
Value Proposition:
Activation of the enzyme chymase, a serine protease sets off a cascade of events which ultimately leads to the development of atherosclerosis. This technology consists of a series of compounds based on a novel scaffold which allow for selective inhibition of chymase. Other advantages include:
• Compounds have low molecular weight and a non-peptidic backbone
• Potential to explore inhibitory effects of these compounds against other serine protease enzymes.
• Potential treatment implications for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, as well as attenuating inflammation in asthma and emphysema patients.
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a series of low molecular weight compounds derived from a novel scaffold which selectively inhibit the serine protease enzyme, chymase. In its active form chymase assist cells in the development of atherosclerosis by participating in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-independent synthesis of angiotensin II (Ang II). Structure based optimization of the scaffold led to the discovery of compounds which can inhibit other serine proteases like chymase. Given that chymase is a known target to prevent atherosclerotic lesions, this technology describes the use of a family of therapeutic drugs that can be used to treat not only chymase-associated diseases, but to inhibit serine proteases in general.
Looking for Partners:
To develop and commercialize the technology as an effective chymase or serine protease inhibitor for the treatment of cardiovascular and other serine protease associated diseases.
Stage of Development:
Pre-Clinical
Data Availability:
Under CDA / NDA
