Name of Intellectual Property: Novel Glycolipid Compounds with Adjuvant Properties

Submitted by: Tari Suprapto, Assistant Director, Office of Technology Transfer, The Rockefeller University

Inventor Information: Moriya Tsuji, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor at The Rockefeller University and the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City. He has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, and this body of work on the glycolipid adjuvants is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Tsuji has also received the NIH FIRST Award and Independent Scientist Award.

Non-Confidential Technology Summary: The immune system has components that bind and present antigens to cells that are capable of initiating a response to those antigens. One of these components is the CD1 receptor, which binds glycolipids, resulting in activation of natural killer T-cells (NKT cells), which in turn produce cytokines to eliminate the threat. Our scientists have synthesized a number of glycolipids, some of which are analogs of alpha-galactosyl ceramide (a-GalCer), which is the most extensively studied CD1 ligand to date. Several of these compounds have 100-fold more biological activity than a-GalCer.

Why is this important or intriguing? These compounds have the potential to be the next generation of vaccine adjuvants, which are greatly needed to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines against cancer and other infectious diseases.

Synopsis of Business Opportunity: These novel compounds are currently being tested as adjuvants in vivo with T-cell based HIV and malaria vaccines, and our scientists are preparing for a Phase I clinical trial. We are looking for a strong commercial partner for further development and creation of effective products to combat disease.

Ownership: This intellectual property is jointly owned by The Rockefeller University and The Scripps Research Institute.

Patent Status: Patent applications WO2006071848 and WO2008128062 are pending.

Contact Information:

Tari Suprapto
Assistant Director
Office of Technology Transfer
The Rockefeller University
1230 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065
USA

E-mail: tsuprapto@rockefeller.edu
Phone: 212-37-7095

Posted January 27th, 2009 under Hot IP, Vaccines. [ Comments: none ]