Home

Pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors enhance phagocytosis of dead neurons and amyloid beta by microglia. Background: The beta-amyloid (1-42) peptide fragment is a crucial component of beta-amyloid debris that forms plaques in Alzheimer's Disease, playing a significant role in disease pathology and cognitive decline. Increased amyloid deposits and tau tangles exert chronic stress on microglia, leading to the emergence of "dark microglia" associated with pathological processes in Alzheimer's, including production of inflammatory cytokines, neurocytotoxicity, loss of neuronal synapses, and promotion of neuro-fibrillary tau tangles. However, microglia also have substantial homeostatic functions in the brain, which include pruning of synapses or phagocytic clearance of dead cells, cell debris, and beta-amyloid deposits. Technology Overview: The newly developed small molecule pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors can modulate microglia activity in vivo, enhancing basal microglial homeostatic functions for therapeutic purposes in Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, the inhibitors, which were shown to be bioavailable in the central nervous system (CNS) in a mouse model, significantly increase phagocytosis of dead neurons and amyloid beta by microglia both in vitro and in vivo. The ability of these compounds to increase microglial and myeloid cell numbers in the CNS, while enhancing their capacity to remove beta-amyloid deposits, suggests that they could be used to reduce or reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. Advantages:

• Bioavailability in the CNS
• Immunotherapeutic approach

Applications:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Other dementias

Intellectual Property Summary: Patent application submitted,

• PCT/US2019/044476 Methods of activating microglial cells 
• EP3829589 Methods of activating microglial cells
• AU2019314405 Methods of activating microglial cells 
• CA3107823 Methods of activating microglial cells 
• U.S. 17/262,784 Methods of activating microglial cells

Licensing Potential: Development partner, Commercial partner, Licensing, Seeking investment Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/istock-513688464.jpg  

­A method for improving fluid flow around or through an endoscope using radially oriented projections. Background:
During ureteroscopy, the irrigation fluid used to distend the kidney and make stones easier to extract can also cause problems. It can cause a buildup of pressure in the pelvis, and any bacteria which are present can get pushed up into the kidney with the fluid, placing patients at risk for sepsis and pain.Intrapelvic pressure is directly related to fluid inflow and outflow. Mathematical models examining fluid flow patterns within the pelvis and ureter during ureteroscopy suggest that the diameter of the endoscope is a critical parameter in fluid flow rate. Lower pressure is thought to reduce bleeding and sepsis.
Technology Overview: 
SUNY Upstate Medical University researchers have determined the optimal shape of a ureteroscope for reducing intrapelvic pressure. They found that by offsetting the endoscope to the side of the access sheath, fluid outflow was improved and pressure was reduced. In order to achieve this displacement in a stable way, they added small, radially emanating, collapsible projections either to the inside the ureteral access sheath or to the shaft of the ureteroscope itself. Any endoscope or catheter can be adapted with these projections, including bronchoscopes. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_337037079_(1).jpegAdvantages: 
 
•    Reduces pressure that can cause infection, injury, and pain.
•    Modifications can be used to adapt any endoscope or catheter. Applications: 
 
•    Reduces pressure buildup during endoscopic procedures.  Intellectual Property Summary:

•    Provisional Filed 63/150,163
Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.

Provides new pathways for biomarkers and drug discovery for cancer patients.  Background:
The gene Abelson interactor protein-1 (ABI1) encodes a member of the Abelson-interactor family of adaptor proteins. These proteins facilitate signal transduction as components of several multiprotein complexes, and regulate actin polymerization and cytoskeletal remodeling through interactions with Abelson tyrosine kinases. The androgen receptor (AR) protein functions as a steroid-hormone activated transcription factor. ABI1 and AR are widely expressed in human tissues. Many cancers show sex-specific tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and sensitivity to hormonal drugs. The ABI1-AR axis might play critical roles in these tissue and drug sensitivities and toxicities. For example, ABI1 regulates a specific subset of genes associated with prostate tumor progression. These genes are biomarkers and potential targets of tumor progression.
Technology Overview:  
This technology defines ABI1-AR reciprocal regulation involving two non-exclusive molecular mechanisms of ABI1-AR and ABI1-DNA interactions. ABI1-DNA binding activity predicts survival of prostate cancer patients. ABI1 binds AR via a multivalent interaction. The ABI1-AR transcriptional program is altered during tumor progression and by anti-androgen treatments, suggesting that ABI1 is a key plasticity regulator in PCa by coupling its actin regulatory and signaling functions to transcriptional regulation. ABI1-AR reciprocal regulation has far reaching implications for tumor plasticity and androgen-sensitive pathogenesis. These interactions are co-regulated during PCa evolution and clinical treatment promoting tumor plasticity and progression. This provides new paths for biomarker and drug design discovery in PCa. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_282277912.jpegAdvantages:  
•    Provides a novel mechanism for predicting survival rates among cancer patients.
•    May enable drug discovery for a wide variety of cancers. Applications:  
The primary applications for this technology are the development of biomarkers for assessing cancer patient survival rates, and drug discovery.  Intellectual Property Summary: US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/463,457, filed May 2, 2023. Stage of Development:
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.Licensing Potential:
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the development of biomarkers and/or therapeutics for cancer, including:
•    Pharmaceutical companies.
•    Hospitals.
•    Medical research laboratories.
•    Universities.

 

A nanocarrier platform for Amphotericin B that improves efficacy and reduces cost, while decreasing toxicity. Background:
Systemic fungal infections are an increasingly prevalent health problem. The hydrophobic polyene antibiotic Amphotericin B (AmB) is the drug of choice for these life-threatening invasive fungal infections. Unfortunately, it produces dose-limiting side effects such as nephrotoxicity. For example, Fungizone® is a conventional sodium deoxycholate micellar formulation of AmB that exhibits high nephrotoxicity and infusion-related reactions. Clinically approved liposomal formulations of AmB, such as AmBisome, reduces AmB toxicity, but do not offer better clinical efficacy. Numerous nanoformulations have been developed for AmB delivery to improve the efficacy and reduce toxicity and cost. However, current options cannot enable the fine-tuning of AmB aggregation in a nanocarrier, which is directly associated with the efficacy and toxicity of AmB formulation for clinical translation.Technology Overview:  
This technology is a PEGylated linear-dendritic telodendrimer (TD) nanocarrier platform for customized nanocarrier design. Different hydrophobic groups can be freely introduced on the dendritic periphery of TD to fine-tune the hydrophobicity and flexibility of the core structure of micelle to control AmB molecular aggregation. The AmB aggregation status in this nanoformulation has a positive correlation with the haemolytic activity and a reverse correlation with antifungal activity. The optimized nanoformulation, with the highest monomeric AmB, significantly improves the antifungal activities and reduces the toxicity both in vitro and in vivo in comparison to Fungizone and AmBisome. This offers significant promise for clinical translation with increased therapeutic window and reduced cost in comparison to the lipid formulations (e.g. AmBisome). https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_436803475_(002).jpegAdvantages:  

• Decreases toxicity compared to other AmB options.
• Increases clinical efficacy.
• Reduces cost.

 Applications:  
The primary application for this technology is the development of AmB therapeutics for the treatment of fungal infections.  Intellectual Property Summary:
Provisional Patent Application 63/441,993 filed on 1/30/2023
Stage of Development:
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.Licensing Potential:
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the development of treatments for fungal infections based on AmB, including:

• Pharmaceutical companies
• Medical research centers
• Hospitals
• Universities