10-235 - Rapamycin to Treat Sjögren's Syndrome

Description:
  • New use for an FDA approved therapeutic with established safety profile in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

USC researchers have developed a customizable platform able USC researchers demonstrated that rapamycin shows potent therapeutic activity in suppressing autoimmune dacryoadenitis in a mouse model of Sjögren’s syndrome.

The researchers also developed  rapamycin-binding protein polymer nanoparticles that exhibit potent therapeutic activity in suppressing autoimmune dacryoadenitis in a mouse model of Sjögren’s syndrome.


The effects of the rapamycin formulation on inflamed lacrimal glands was evaluated in a non-obese diabetic mouse (NOD), a classic mouse model of SjS.

Benefit

Market Application

Market Opportunity:

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is an age-related chronic inflammatory  disease that affects up to 4 million people in the United States. These  patients suffer from dry eye disease caused by lacrimal gland  inflammation. Conventional treatment is based on management of symptoms and there is a shortage of therapies that address the underlying causes of inflammation at source exocrine tissue.

 

Applications:

  • New application for established drug in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome

Publications

Hamm-Alvarez, J Control Release. 2013 Nov 10;171(3):269-79

Other

Status: Issued US patent 9,687,523

Stage of Development:

  • Studied in a relevant animal model
  • Formulation developed

Patent Information: