Preventing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

SLU ID 23-002 | Enzymatically inactive Granzyme A

Background

Strategies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection include a vaccine being used in endemic areas and antibiotics. The BCG vaccine was created more than 100 years ago and is efficient at preventing the worst forms of TB meningitis in children. However, the vaccine is not able to fully protect vaccinated adults from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Antibiotics can cure active TB, but treatments are very long (3-9 months) and require close healthcare monitoring. Moreover, there is an emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Mtb.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have demonstrated that enzymatically inactive mutated human protein may induce protection against pathogens and provide protection from Mtb infection. It has lower potential off-target adverse effects because the protein has been mutated to abrogate enzyme catalysis. Moreover, the researchers have established a manufacturing process that can efficiently produce large yields of recombinant enzymatically inactive GzmA. The product is also very potent at protecting against Mtb intracellular infection and could be scaled for clinical trials requiring GMP quality.

Benefits

The potential benefits of this technology include:

• Increase protection from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in adults

• Minimize off-target adverse effects

• Minimize the risk of contracting multi-drug resistant Mtb strains

• Minimize the need to endure 3 to 9-month-long treatments

Applications

The potential applications of this technology include developing drugs to prevent and treat Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections.

Opportunity

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