Innovative Approaches to Optimize the Therapeutic Benefits of Autophagy Inhibition

Case ID:
UA21-204
Invention:

This technology consists of novel, soluble compounds that are to be used to inhibit autophagy that can lead to pathogenesis of many different diseases and health conditions.

Background:
Autophagy is the process that regulates the degradation of overabundant malfunctioning cellular components. Autophagy is vital for maintaining cell renewal processes; however, unregulated or aberrant autophagy can lead to many health concerns. Aberrant autophagy may cause the pathogenesis of various diseases including cancers, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, aging, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and some infectious diseases. This unregulated autophagy can be caused by nutritional deficiency, structural remodeling, oxidative stress, infections, and more.

Currently, the only FDA approved pharmaceutical for autophagy inhibition is hydroxychloroquine. This technology introduces novel compounds that can be used as a pharmaceutical approach to autophagy inhibition. These compounds have proven to be more soluble and less costly than previously developed alternative options. The compounds also display higher target specificity and are thus more effective therapeutic agents.

Applications:

  • Inhibition of aberrant autophagy
  • Prevention of various disease pathogenesis


Advantages:

  • High solubility
  • Lower cost
  • High target specificity
  • Effective therapeutic
Patent Information:
Contact For More Information:
Mitch Graffeo
Sr. Licensing Manager - COM-T
The University of Arizona
mitchg@tla.arizona.edu
Lead Inventor(s):
Jennifer Carew
Steffan Nawrocki
Wei Wang
Keywords: