Supramolecular Hydrogel Applications to the Carotid Bodies to Treat Hypertension and Sleep Apnea in Obesity

Unmet Need
Over one-third of adults in the U.S. (36.5%) have obesity. Further, obesity leads to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality via multiple adverse mechanisms that include increased prevalence and severity of hypertension (often resistant to treatment) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Currently, no pharmacotherapy exists for OSA. CPAP machine use for OSA management is minimally effective, improving blood pressure control in only 20-30% of compliant patients. Thus, OSA and hypertension treatment in the context of obesity pose a significant therapeutic challenge and new therapeutic options are desperately needed, particularly those that do not require strict daily or monthly dosing and patient adherence.
 
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins researchers have demonstrated that obesity exacerbates hypertension and OSA via increased levels of the obesity associated hormone, leptin, which acts through the transient receptor potential channel in the carotid body (CB). The  inhibitor abolishes the adverse effects of leptin in obesity. As a result, the researchers identified that long-term, topical administration of a hydrogel form of the inhibitor to the CB area could be a potential novel therapeutic for hypertension and OSA in obese individuals.
 
Stage of Development
The inventors are developing a hydrogel that will be evaluated as a therapeutic for hypertension as well as for OSA in a mouse model of obesity.
 

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