The research group "Cell damage associated with senescence" of the University of Alcalá presents the microbicidal capacity of endothelial microvesicles. These vesicles destroy the main pathogens involved in sepsis and even strains derived from them resistant to multiple antibiotics. They have also been shown to be effective against the biofilms that form these microorganisms.
The group seeks to reach licensing agreements, cooperation or commercial agreements with technical assistance, with pharmaceutical companies interested in the design of new medicines.
Sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. 20 to 30 million cases of sepsis are registered annually in the world, with 50 people being killed every hour.
Annually, it affects 50,000 people in Spain, of whom 17,000 die. In the last ten years, cases of sepsis have doubled and studies believe that the trend will continue to be high.
Recent studies on sepsis and infection in vivo have seen a great increase of microvesicles (MV) in blood and have studied the utility of said MV for the differentiation between other pathologies of bacterial origin. MVs play an important role in the defense against pathogens that are therefore beneficial as part of the natural response to infection.
The present invention therefore refers, as a first aspect, to the use of endothelial microvesicles (MVe) to make a new medicament (preferably an antibiotic), since they possess a potent antimicrobial capacity both on the main pathogens involved in sepsis as well as on multiresistant bacterias to the conventional antibiotics. These MVs cause the destruction of bacteria, but do not affect eukaryotic cells. Alternatively, the present invention also relates to MV derived from endothelial cells for its use as a medicament.
This new function discovered about the MV is of great diagnostic utility and also offers a wide variety of therapeutic targets, as well as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of infectious pathologies such as sepsis. That bactericidal action of the MVe of the invention is carried out even at physiological concentrations, and with a high concentration of microorganisms, specifically bacteria, being this action more patent when higher the concentration of MVe will be.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS
Use of endothelial microvesicles as an alternative to antibiotics.
The treatment with the MVe of the invention does not induce physiopathological changes in eukaryotic cells.
The antimicrobial activity associated with the MVe of the invention is not dependent on the complement line and is very stable.
The MVe have bactericidal activity both against Gram-type bacteria and against Gram + bacteria.
COMPETITIVES ADVANTAGES
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention accepts to contain additives to increase, control or otherwise direct the desired therapeutic effect of the MVe of the invention (buffering agents, surfactants, cosolvents, preservatives, etc ...)
The pharmaceutical composition can be administered by conventional means: intravenously, trocars, cannulae. And, in addition, it allows direct administration by injection, on the external surface of the affected organ or tissue.
The pharmaceutical composition can be stored up to the moment of its application by conventional methods known to those skilled in the art.
It is resistant to freezing and thermal treatments up to 85ºC
Current development status
Experimental technologies
Applications
Designing of new medicines effectives againts pathogens and bacterias resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Desired business relationship
Technology selling
Patent licensing
Technology development
The group seeks to reach licensing agreements, cooperation or commercial agreements with technical assistance, with pharmaceutical companies interested in the design of new medicines.
The Technology Transfer Office at Alcalá University serves as a liaison between the University and its socioeconomic environment in terms of research and innovation. It encorages collaboration between research groups from universities and companies/institutions, with the objective to promote and commercialize research results and scientific capabilities.
Some of the services offered by this office are specified in the following list:
- Promotion of R & D and improvement of the relationships with companies.
- Promote the participation in R & D projects applicants to public calls (regional, national and European).
- Advising, processing and monitoring of patents and other forms of industrial protection.
- Support in the negotiation of contracts and agreements for R&D&i
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