Chlamydia Oligosaccharides
Introduction Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium which parasites eukaryotic cells and is one of the most common causes of blindness and sexually transmitted diseases in humans. Different chlamydia species are also responsible for a broad array of diseases, including, but not limited to salpingitis, proctitis, epidymitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and atherosclerosis. Once fully established, the chlamydiae are difficult to eradicate with frequent relapse following antibiotic therapy. Additionally, Chlamydia is often silent in women, with up to 90% of women asymptomatic, condition that leads often to complications like tubal pregnancy and infertility. Technology description The Major Outer Membrane Proteins (MOMPs) are prominently exposed components on the surface of the extracellular form of chlamydiae, and are involved in the initial interaction between chlamydiae and the host cell. Researchers at the University of Washington have identified the relevant carbohydrate moieties of the MOMPs that mediate the binding of various chlamydiae to mammalian cells and that could be used to block attachment and infectivity of chlamydiae. Business opportunity Approximately 4 million cases of C. trachomatis infection are reported per year in the US, with the population prevalence in young adults ranging from 5 to 20 %. Due to the high percentage of asymptomatic infected individuals, the CDC has recommended widespread screening of high-risk individuals. The estimated annual cost of Chlamydia and its complications is approximately 2 billion dollars, and the ability of this bacterium to remain in a chronic, persistent form, despite the use of standard anti-bacterial therapies, suggest that the long-term costs of chronic diseases associated with chlamydial infections may be even greater. This novel technology offers great promises for the development of new prophylactic agents targeting chlamydiae through a mucosal route of administration. Intellectual property position Patent US 7053067 : Chlamydia Oligosaccharides. Related Publication(s)Infect Immun. 2004 Nov;72(11):6699-701 Infect Immun. 2006 May; 74(5): 3027-3029 For more information on this technology contact:
Fiona Wills, Ph.D., MBA Licensing Officer, Invention Licensing [email protected] 206-543-3970
Type of Offer: Licensing
« More Medical Patents