Therapeutics

Displaying 1 - 10 of 23


Oral administration of levocarnitine for treating Sjögren's Syndrome-associated dry eye

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a common and debilitating autoimmune disease, causing dry eye symptoms ranging from discomfort to dysfunction. Vanderbilt researchers have identified orally administered levocarnitine as a novel potential therapeutic for treating this condition.


Licensing Contact

Mike Villalobos

615.322.6751
Opthamology

Anti-inflammatory microparticles for sustained ocular drug delivery

Vanderbilt researchers have developed an injectable drug delivery vehicle using microparticles (MPs) that not only provide sustained cargo delivery over extended time but also play a therapeutic role themselves in reducing inflammation. This drug delivery platform can be used in treating ocular diseases such as glaucoma and traumatic optic neuropathy, as well as other inflammatory diseases throughout the body like peripheral arterial disease and osteoarthritis.


Licensing Contact

Taylor Jordan

615.936.7505

mGlu3 NAMs as Therapeutics for Chemoresistant Tumors

Targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3) has been linked as a potential therapeutic to many neurological disorders and well as oncology through the use of dual specific mGlu2/3 Antagonists (LY341495, RO4491533, MGS0039, RO4988546).


Licensing Contact

Mike Villalobos

615.322.6751
Therapeutics
Small Molecule

Small Molecule mGlu3 NAMs as Therapeutics for CNS Disorders

The Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (VCNDD) has a mission to promote the translation of advances in basic science towards novel therapeutics. They have recruited faculty and staff with experience at over 10 different pharmaceutical companies to ensure a diverse set of approaches, techniques and philosophies to advancing compounds. Together they aim to de-risk drug discovery programs.


Licensing Contact

Mike Villalobos

615.322.6751
Therapeutics
Small Molecule

Small Molecule-GIRK Potassium Channel Modulators That Are Anxiolytic Therapeutics

The G-protein activated, inward-rectifying potassium (K+) channels, "GIRKs", are a family of ion channels that has been the focus of intense research interest for nearly two decades. GIRK has been shown to play important roles in the pathophysiology of diseases such as anxiety, epilepsy, Down's syndrome, pain perception and drug addiction. Here scientists at Vanderbilt developed the first truly potent, effective, and selective GIRK activator, ML297 (VU0456810) and demonstrated that ML297 is active in animal models of epilepsy. While the group is using ML297 to continue to explore the therapeutic benefits of GIRK modulation, they are continuing to develop more selective and druggable GIRK inhibitors from different scaffolds.


Licensing Contact

Cameron Sargent

615.322.5907
Therapeutics
Analgesic
Small Molecule

Novel anti-platelet therapy for treatment of thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular injury

One of the leading causes of deaths in developed countries is related to thromboembolism. PAR-4 (protease activated receptor-4) is one of two receptors on the human platelet that respond to thrombin, the central enzyme of coagulation.  Researchers here at Vanderbilt University have developed novel antagonists of PAR-4 that could be beneficial for patients allowing for normal hemostasis during treatment for thrombotic events.


Licensing Contact

Mike Villalobos

615.322.6751
Therapeutics
Cardiovascular

Use of Fluid Shear Stress Treatment to Enhance T Cell Activation

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a technique to enhance immune cell activation by exposing cells to mechanical force while culturing. Proof-of-concept data indicate that activating immune cells with this method may improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce manufacturing expenses, making powerful CAR T cell therapies more accessible to patients in need.


Licensing Contact

Cameron Sargent

615.322.5907

Targeted photodynamic therapy for S. aureus infections

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a combination photodynamic therapy (PDT) for targeting MRSA infections in skin that is not only effective but also HIGHLY SPECIFIC and LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RESISTANCE, adding a much needed therapy to our quickly depleting arsenal against this pathogen.


Licensing Contact

Cameron Sargent

615.322.5907

Targeted light-based therapy for acne

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a photodynamic therapy (PDT) for effectively and specifically treating acne, the most common skin condition.


Licensing Contact

Cameron Sargent

615.322.5907
Therapeutics
Small Molecule

Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) Nuclear Translocation Inhibitors for Preventing Fibrosis

The research team has found that one of the key regulators of collagen production in fibrotic diseases is the FUS ribonucleoprotein. This protein is upregulated in fibrotic diseases leading to additional collagen formation and deposition. In order to combat FUS upregulation, a new approach to blocking nuclear translocation has been developed using an FUS targeting peptide approach.


Licensing Contact

Mike Villalobos

615.322.6751
Therapeutics