Description:
Market: Information collected by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention during 2006 showed that cardiovascular disease (CVD) from
all causes accounts for 29% of deaths worldwide and ranks second only to
infectious and parasitic diseases. In the United States alone, atherosclerosis
reportedly affects one in four persons, causing approximately 42% of all deaths.
With a market size of more than $15 billion, the market for novel
atherosclerosis therapies has very lucrative potential.
Competitors and Current Problems: Inflammatory response
plays an important role in the onset, development and evolution of
atherosclerotic lesions. Elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are
non-specific but sensitive markers of the acute inflammatory response. High
levels of C-reactive protein are frequently observed in patients with unstable
angina and acute myocardial infarction. Although C-reactive protein is present
in atherosclerotic lesions, no previous study has specifically assessed the
possible effects of C-reactive protein on vascular cells. Clearly, there is a
need to keep broadening the treatment options for cardiovascular disease
The Technology: Researchers at the University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) have developed methods and
compositions that may be used in treating CVD and other inflammatory disorders
that are augmented by C-reactive protein. More particularly, the invention
relates to methods for screening for modulators that inhibit C-reactive protein
and the use of these modulators to inhibit C-reactive protein induced vascular
inflammation. Lowering C-reactive protein levels may have beneficial effects on
the evolution of atherosclerosis and may reduce the risk of coronary events.
UTHSC-H has secured patent protection and is
interested in implementation of this technology into a clinical setting.
UTHSC-H Ref. No.:
2000-0016
Inventors: Yeh, et al.
Patent
Status: Issued U.S. Patent No. 6,764,826
License Available: world-wide; exclusive or
non-exclusive