Peptide Mimetics

About

Two peptide mimetics that may provide relapse relief of Multiple Sclerosis. The Need Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the body's own immune system attacking itself and causing spots of demyelination in the brain and spinal chord.  This can result in numerous physical and mental symptoms which follow different patterns of evolution and variable rates of disability accumulation. Symptoms can include changes in sensation (reduced sensitivity and numbness), difficulty moving, problems with speech or swallowing, visual problems, acute and chronic fatigue and pain, along with bladder and bowel difficulties. As the disease progresses, the symptoms become increasingly permanent. Currently, there are eight approved disease-modifying therapies for MS throughout the world. Biologics account for six of the eight approved MS disease-modifying products. All approved MS therapies can slow the progression of MS, however, none can reverse any nerve damage that occurs from demyelination. Many people affected with MS have not seen improvements from existing treatments, and others find the adverse reactions from certain drugs are not worth the benefits. If more treatments were available to MS patients, they could have a greater chance of finding a drug that treats their symptoms. The Market The global market for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying products was $10.1 billion in 2012 and almost $10.9 billion in 2013. The market is expected to grow to nearly $14.2 billion in 2018 with a CAGR of 5.4% from 2013-2018 (BBC Research '14). Disease-modifying agents used to treat MS are currently one of the largest classes of pharmaceutical products by sales in the U.S. and throughout the world growing from less than $1 billion in 1999 to about $11 billion in 2013 (BBC Research '14). More than 2.3 million people are affected by MS worldwide. Over 400,000 people in the U.S. suffer from MS, and every week 200 more are diagnosed (National MS Society). The Technology The Ohio State University researchers, led by Dr. Pravin Kaumaya, developed two CD28 peptide mimetics that selectively block the B7:CD28 interaction and may provide relapse relief of MS. Using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, a commonly used animal model for MS, clinical signs of EAE were dramatically improved within 24-48 hours of administration of peptides, and all mice treated with CD28 showed a significant decrease in clinical score. When comparing Dr. Kaumaya's treatment to others on the market, his peptides have a substantially lower molecular weight than Abs of fusion protein, have a significantly longer in vitro half life than other known peptides, and have the binding affinity of a large protein in a short peptide. Category Immunology, Autoimmune & Inflammation, Healthcare Portfolios, Life Sciences, Drugs/Pharmaceuticals, Therapeutics, Drug Delivery Intellectual Property Issued Tech ID T2000-107