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Please Note: The technology listed below is not available to the public at this time. This technology is in the early stage of research and requires further development before it is ready for the marketplace. The VA is currently in the process of identifying potential companies who may be interested in licensing and/or further developing the technology through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA). Through cooperative research initiatives such as these, it is our hope and goal that commercial products will be fully developed and made available to benefit veterans and others.
VA TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITY BRIEF
Synthetic Carotenoid Derivatives
(# 06-024)
TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the United States. Approximately 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older have advanced AMD and an additional 7.3 million people diagnosed with intermediate AMD are at substantial risk for vision loss. Current estimates indicate that by 2020 there will be 2.9 million people with advanced ARMD (http://www.ahaf.org, http://www.macular.org, The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group 2004). The economic impact of AMD has been estimated in excess of $20 billion annually (Oneill et al. 2001, Brown et al. 2005, http://www.nei.nih.gov_eyedata/hu_estimates.asp). Dry macular degeneration accounts for approximately 90% of the diagnosed cases of AMD and is characterized by central vision loss (http://www.ahaf.org, http://www.macular.org). There is currently no proven treatment for dry macular degeneration (http://www.blindness.org).
The subject technology describes the photoprotective effects of a group of synthetic carotenoid derivates as demonstrated utilizing a human pigmented retinal epithelial cell line (ARPE-19). The synthetic carotenoid derivates are either positively charged or weak bases, which allows for localization within mitochondria and/or lysosomes. These organelles are known to be critical sites involved in mediating photosensitized cell damage. The synthetic carotenoids may also provide better photoprotection than natural carotenoids due to charge characteristics and cellular localization. The photoprotective effect of synthetic carotenoids is associated with their ability to quench reactive singlet oxygen, thus ameliorating cellular damage. The subject technology more specifically relates to methods for treating photomediated tissue damage using synthetic carotenoid derivatives with the most viable medical application being the use of synthetic carotenoids for treating the dry form of macular degeneration.
BENEFITS
The most commercially viable medical application for this technology will likely be as a drug to prevent the progression of the dry form of macular degeneration. In addition to macular degeneration, other human disorders in which the invention may provide potential benefits include cataract formation; porphyries; ultraviolet-light induced skin damage; ultraviolet-light induced immunosuppression and drug-induced photosensitivity.
IP STATUS:
No patent application was filed for this invention. The VA is currently seeking CRADA partners to further develop the technology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Saleem Sheredos
Program Manager
Technology Transfer Program
Veterans Affairs
Office of Research & Development (12TT)
5th Floor
103 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
202-380-5080
Fax 410.962.2141
e-mail: saleem.sheredos@va.gov