Suite of proprietary collagen-binding peptides derived from bone sialoprotein (BSP) that are effective in promoting bone repair and regeneration.

Nucleation of bone mineral crystals via specific BSP peptide domains that mediate tight and specific binding to collagen, the structural protein of bone.

Key Areas: Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering, Complex Fractures, Spinal Fusions, Bone Grafts, Bone Defects, Osseous Integration of Dental and Orthopedic implants

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The present invention comprises a suite of proprietary collagen-binding peptides derived from bone sialoprotein (BSP) that are effective in promoting bone repair and regeneration. Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have identified BSP peptide sequences responsible for the nucleation of bone mineral crystals and were also able to pinpoint the region that mediates tight and specific binding to collagen, the structural protein of bone. Such collagen binding peptides are clinically valuable, as they could be used effectively as vehicles for local drug delivery and, in addition, have the potential to act as therapeutics to treat a wide variety of disorders of collagen type I-expressing tissues, including bone, dentin, skin, tendon, and periodontal
ligament.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide orthopedic industry is estimated at over US$13bn, with a projected annual growth rate of 8-10%. While the market is largely captured by medical devices and implants, there is a significant growth opportunity for drug therapeutics to promote bone repair, either as a stand alone therapy or to be used in conjunction with hospital products and devices. The biologics approach to the orthopedics field is one of the fastest-growing segments within the marketplace with an average growth rate of between 15% and 20%.

Bone sialoprotein collagen-binding peptides are ideal drug leads. In the shorter term, the value of these peptides lies in their collagen binding properties that would allow them to be used as drug delivery vehicles for the local delivery and incorporation of specific bioactive therapeutics into soft tissues containing Type I collagen (i.e. skin, tendon and ligament). In the longer term, these peptides hold promise as single agents, or in combination with bone morphogeneic proteins (BMP’s), for a number of therapeutic applications related to the promotion of mineral formation in hard tissues (bone and dentin).

POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES/USES: This technology presents a unique opportunity for a pharmaceutical or biotechnology partner to build on proprietary proof of principle findings, and on years of UWO inventors’ expertise in the field, to develop a novel, safe and effective treatment approach to the medical challenge of bone repair, with applications in tissue engineering, complex fractures, spinal fusions, bone grafts, bone defects due to the removal of tumors, and osseous integration of dental and orthopedic implants.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY:

• tissue engineering
• bone and connective tissue formation and repair
• rheumatoid arthritis
• spinal fusion
• local drug delivery

 

Reference Number: UWO-AE-016 

Preclinical

PCT patent application published as WO 2005/082941A1.

The technology is available for licensing; a collaborative research approach involving the inventors is welcome.