Innovative and Targeted Treatment of Kidney Disease

Introduction Twenty million Americans are currently afflicted with kidney disease, and this number is expected to more than double in the next decade. UW scientists have identified that treatment with ATRA/retinoic acid is able to reverse damage and significantly improve kidney function. Technology description HIV nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and minimal change disease lead to damage of specific kidney cells called podocytes. To date, treatments for these diseases are toxic, nonspecific, and inadequate. Treatment with ATRA/retinoic acid is able to reverse damage to podocytes, significantly improving the function of the protein-urine barrier, and decreasing proteinuria indicative of nephrotic syndrome. Business opportunity ATRA/retinoic acid is available in proprietary formulations, the delivery of which for this novel indication would be the first specific treatment of nephrotic syndrome that has the potential to reverse disease progression with fewer side effects than currently available treatments. Stage of development In vivo studies have demonstrated that using ATRA/retinoic acid significantly protects podocytes from dedifferentiation, and prevents the high-grade proteinuria characteristic of nephrotic syndrome. Intellectual property position The UW has applied for patent protection on the use of ATRA/retinoic acid. For more information on this technology contact:
Angela Loihl, MBA, Ph.D. Technology Manager, Invention Licensing [email protected] 206-543-3970

Type of Offer: Licensing



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