TECHNOLOGY
Treatment of bacterial diseases has become increasingly difficult as the number of
antibiotic-resistant organisms increases and the development of new antibiotics
decreases. According to the CDC, an estimated 2 million people in the US develop
antibiotic infections annually with more than 23,000 deaths at a cost of $21-34
billion/year. Therefore, in addition to preventing infections, tracking resistant
organisms, and more conservative antibiotic use, there is a need for novel
antimicrobial strategies. Cholesterol is a primary component of eukaryotic cell
plasma membranes and therefore plays an essential role in cell membrane structure
and membrane protein function. Many transmembrane proteins bind directly to
cholesterol and/or associate with cholesterol-rich domains such as lipid rafts. The
cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif is used by many
pathogens to recognize cholesterol on the host cell membrane as an initial step in
pathogenesis prior to the toxin or virus moving from the aqueous extracellular
environment to hydrophobic membrane environment. Disruption of this recognition
may inhibit bacterial/viral pathogenesis.
The use of CRAC peptide (delivered by liposomes) can be used as an initial step in
the prevention of disease transmittance without human cell toxicity. It recognizes the
hydroxyl group of cholesterol with strong, nanomolar affinity without disrupting
membrane packing, binding primarily near the membrane surface. This prevents
internalization of toxins and viral proteins by host cells resulting in inhibition of
toxin activity for up to 65 days without toxicity to normal cells.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Broad applicability in preventing disease transmittance without removing
cholesterol from the cell membrane, thereby preventing human cell toxicity
Allows the host defense system to eliminate attenuated bacteria, helping to
overcome induction of antibiotic resistance
Increases the effectiveness of co-administered antibiotics
Peptide delivery by liposomes increas es drug stability/circulation time,
allowing for higher drug loading and efficient, targeted delivery
May be effective against drug-resistant species
OPPORTUNITY
Treatment of bacterial disease is increasingly difficult as the number of antibiotic-
resistant organism’s increases, necessitating the need for novel, broad-spectrum
strategies. In 2012, the global antibacterial drugs market was valued at $43.55 billion
and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 0.3% from 2013 to 2019, to reach an
estimated $45.09 billion in 2019. The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases
and rising demand for effective as well as affordable antibacterial drugs along with
the increase in multi-drug resistant bacterial strains are the major growth drivers for
the antibacterial drugs market. The rise in the elderly population is one of the major
growth factors that will indirectly increase demand for various antibacterial drugs.
Lehigh University is looking for a partner for further development and
commercialization of this technology through a license.
Tech ID:
081716-01
Inventors:
Angela Brown
Edward Lally