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Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Novel therapy for the treatment of optic neuropathies by inhibition of semaphorin3A

Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: TOES20200513005
Publication Date: 14 May 2020

Summary

A Spanish research centre, has jointly developed with a Israeli university, a family of compounds able to inhibit Semaphorin3A fostering nerve regeneration after injury. These compounds can be useful for treatment of ischemic events such as stroke, glaucoma and other optical nerve and retina insults. Biotech or pharmaceutical companies are sought for license agreement and/or research collaboration to perform preclinical assays.

Description

After a neuronal damage is produced, Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) protein is highly expressed as a response in adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), preventing axon regeneration and promoting progressive neuronal apoptosis, even once the ischemic event is restored, leading to permanent damage.

Compounds presented are able to modulate neurodegeneration by inhibiting Sema3A pathway, thus stimulating injured axons regeneration and brain repair.

Their therapeutic potential has been proved in pre-clinical (in vitro and in vivo) assays involving injure of the optic nerve. The Sema3A inhibitors were able to prevent loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in a range of harsh optic degenerative insults using in vivo models, such as optical nerve transection in adult rats. Results showed between 30-40% of RGC survival after treatment with the compounds. 

The  research centres, with broad experience in medicinal chemistry and in ophtalmic research, are searching for a biotech or pharmaceutical company interested in the preclinical and clinical development of a treatment for optic neuropathies, under a license agreement. The  centres could collaborate with the company in that project through a research collaboration.

Advantages and Innovations

•	The small molecules developed act as prolonged inhibitors of Sema3A apoptotic pathway.

•	Application for treatment in the prevention of RGC loss associated to different optic neuropathies, currently ineffective, is envisioned thus promoting nerve regeneration.

•	Potential application to other neurodegenerative processes associated to CNS disorders.

Stage Of Development

Under development/lab tested

Requested partner

Biotech or pharmaceutical companies interesed in the development of treatments for optic neuropathies.

-Licensing agreement: the partner would license the technology to perform clinical assays, obtain all regulatory

certifications and commercialize the drug.

-Research cooperation agreement: the partner and the institution could undertake a joint effort to perform preclinical

assays.