LabToWallStreet / teXchange Technology of the Day

Porcine Protein and Uses Thereof

The present invention is directed to a porcine xenoantigen that does not include an aGal epitope; also directing to agents which bind to the porcine xenoantigen. Organ transplantation has become the treatment of choice for various diseases associated with organ failure.  However, the supply of organs from organ donors falls far short of meeting the rapidly increasing demand.  One attractive approach to overcoming this shortage is to use animals as a source of organs for transplantation (a process known as xenotransplantation).  In recent years, a consensus has emerged that the domestic pig may represent a good alternative to nonhuman primates as a donor of organs for transplantation. 

To learn more about this technology available for licensing, please visit the New York Blood Center's module on the LabToWallStreet teXchange.

Angiogenic Onchocerca Volvulus Proteins and Uses Thereof

Angiogenesis refers to the process by which new capillary blood vessels are formed from existing microvessels, resulting in the development of a blood supply to a given area of tissue.  The consequences of abnormal angiogenesis is either excessive or insufficient blood vessel growth, either of which can dramatically affect a number of pathological processes including abnormal wound healing, chronic inflammatory disorders, dermatological conditions, diseases of the eye and tumor growth.

The present invention is based on the discovery that certain members of the Ov-ASP protein family are involved in the pathologic process of corneal neovascularization in animals infected with O. volvulus (an illness called Onchocerciasis or River Blindness).  This discovery indicates a pro-angiogenic role for Ov-ASP proteins, which will have implications for wound healing and for the treatment of various diseases where the enhancement of angiogenesis is desirable.

To learn more about this technology available for licensing, please visit the New York Blood Center's module on the LabToWallStreet teXchange.