Out-licensing

A novel series of NMDA receptor antagonists, which shows different selectivity for NMDA receptors than the previously described NMDA receptor antagonists.

Summary

Atherosclerosis is a complex disease affecting arterial blood vessels, that is characterized by chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, that triggers deposition of lipoproteins and ultimately formation of the multiple plaques within the arteries. To the date, the treatment of atherosclerosis relies heavily on the reduction of risk factors in combination with lifestyle change, nutrition, exercise and stress management. One of the atherosclerosis risk factors is homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, and intermediate metabolite of methionine. Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine, that result from an inherited disorder of methionine metabolism, have been shown to be directly linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have discovered a novel homocysteine receptor that has anatomic and physiological properties that may account for a major atherosclerosis effect of homocysteine. Further, researchers have discovered that antagonists of the NMDA receptor family can effectively block this receptor and have subsequently developed highly selective NMDA modulators. This invention comprises a new
and highly effective class of drugs for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, that inhibits the biochemical and physiological actions of homocysteine-activated homocysteine receptor.

Market Value

This technology will allow for the generation of an entire novel class of drugs for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, the disease that differentiates into heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery diseases. The secondary application of this technology is treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy and stroke. The competitive advantage of this novel class of anti-atherosclerosis drugs is the current absence of competition, uniqueness, specificity
and reduced toxicity.

Features and Benefits

• Novel class of drugs for treatment and prevention of
  atherosclerosis
• No competitive drugs of similar action
• Action similar to anti-atherogenic effect of ethanol without side
  effects of ethanol ingestion

Early Stage

US Patents Issued:

      6,025,369

      6,469,027

UNeMed Corporation offers a variety of licensing options and collaborative development opportunities with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.