Unmet Need / Invention Novelty: Currently available anti-cancer proteasome inhibitors are highly effective against liquid tumors, however, resistance develops. Furthermore, available proteasome inhibitors are not effective against solid tumors. There is an unmet need to develop anti-cancer proteasome inhibitors that overcome these limitations.
Technical Details: Researchers at Johns Hopkins have synthesized novel proteasome inhibitors that are effective against both liquid and solid tumors. The novel proteasome inhibitors target a region of the proteasome untargeted by licensed inhibitors and have superior drug properties relating to structure, stability, solubility, safety, and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, the proteasome inhibitors do not cross the blood brain barrier and therefore have fewer neurological side effects, which limits the therapeutic potential of currently licensed proteasome inhibitors. The proteasome inhibitors demonstrate potent and specific cytotoxicity against several types of cancer-derived cell lines and inhibit proteasome function, resulting in cell death, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the inhibitors are active against cancer cells that are resistant to other licensed proteasome inhibitors.
Value Proposition:
- The proteasome inhibitors have favorable drug properties
- The inhibitors are effective against both liquid and solid tumors
- The distinct mechanism of the proteasome inhibitors overcomes drug resistance
Looking for Partners to: Develop & commercialize the technology as novel proteasome inhibitors for the treatment of solid and liquid tumors.
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: in vitro & in vivo
Inventors: Richard Roden & Ravi Anchoori
