Treating Metabolic Disorders in a Fetus

SLU ID 06-013 | Chimeral Polypeptide Composition for Cross-Placenta Delivery

Background

Recent advances have enabled enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs) for a number of metabolic diseases, especially lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) such as Gaucher, Krabbe, Fabry and Pompe diseases, as well as various mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). Of the MPS diseases, enzyme replacement therapies are currently available or under development for MPS I (Hurler Syndrome), MPS II (Hunter Syndrome), MPS IV (Morquio Syndrome), MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome), and MPS VII (Sly Syndrome). Some MPS disorders, including for example MPS VII, show evidence that significant storage of glycosaminoglycans has already begun in prenatallife.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed polypeptides linked to a Fc-domain that are able to cross the placenta and enter the circulation of the fetus as well as methods for creating such chimeral polypetptides.

Benefits

The potential advantages of this technology over existing solutions include:

• Minimize delays in treating metabolic disorder
• Minimize the adverse effects of metabolic disorders
• Increase effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapies
• Increase the number of treatments for metabolic disorders

Applications

This technology has potential application for treating in born errors of metabolism in a fetus.

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize this technology.

Patents

• U. S. patent 7,871,624