anti-thrombotic treatment - Isis Project No 3435

Isis Innovation, the technology transfer arm of the University of Oxford, presents a potential new anti-thrombotic drug target and therapeutic.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

Anti-thrombotic drugs are currently used for a wide range of cardiovascular indications such as myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes and stroke. This resulted in global sales for anti-thrombotics of $13.3 billion in 2005 and is predicted to increase to $17.9 billion by 2011.

The anti-thrombotic market comprises anti-platelet drugs, anti-coagulants and thrombolytics, with leading brands such as Plavix and Lovenox accounting for a significant proportion of the market. However, patent protection is due to end in 2011/2012 for the leading brands and the need for more efficacious and safer drugs with fewer side effects are driving growth in the market for new anti-thrombotics.

THE OXFORD INVENTION

Researchers at the University of Oxford have identified a novel target for anti-thrombotic therapeutics, the G6B receptor. Chemically-stimulated platelet aggregation is inhibited when the G6B receptor is activated.

The key advantage of the G6B receptor as a target is that it is expressed specifically on the surface of resting platelets, and this expression increases 2-fold when platelets are activated. Therapeutics targeting the G6B receptor would potentially be more efficacious with fewer side effects compared to existing treatments.

As well as identifying this receptor, the researchers have a specific monoclonal antibody that targets the G6B receptor, which could be developed as a potential therapeutic. The natural ligand for the G6B receptor is yet to be identified but small molecule inhibitors could be developed to inhibit this highly specific target. Further research is ongoing to identify the ligand.

PATENT STATUS                                               

This work is the subject of patent application PCT/GB07/003048, and Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity that this represents either through licensing or collaboration. Please contact the Isis Project Manager to discuss this further.

Keywords: Anti-thrombotic, target, anti-platelet drugs, antiocagulant, therapeutic, thrombolytis

Request Further Information: Project Number 3435 - Anti-Thrombotic Treatment