Columbia Technology Ventures

Multifunctional nanoparticles as an anti-inflammatory agent for sepsis and inflammatory diseases

This technology is a nanoparticle therapy that targets multiple mediators of inflammation to reduce damage and mortality from sepsis and other inflammatory conditions.

Unmet Need: Specific, effective treatment of hyperinflammation and infection

Current treatments for sepsis rely on broad-spectrum antibiotics to address bacterial-induced inflammation, but excessive antibiotic usage can lead to toxicity, resistance, and other unwanted side effects. Further, existing options tend to target only one part of the chain-reaction response to infection, limiting their effectiveness. Failure to address the complex pathogenesis of sepsis has resulted in persistently high mortality rates from sepsis.

The Technology: Nanoparticles targeting multiple mediators of sepsis

This technology utilizes nanoparticles made of tannic acid, Zn2+, and gentamicin (TA-Zn-Gen NP) that act as anti-inflammatory agents to prevent the “cytokine storm” leading to multiple organ failure in sepsis. TA-Zn-Gen NPs simultaneously target five modes of anti-sepsis to reduce systemic inflammation: scavenging circulating cell-free DNA, reducing reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage and cell death, repressing nitric oxide production, and inhibiting bacterial activity. The nanoparticles demonstrate low toxicity and can be produced simply and affordably.

This technology has been validated with in vivo mouse models to demonstrate reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels and bacterial colonies after treatment.

Applications:

  • Treatment for sepsis
  • Treatment for other intractable inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, cancer metastasis, and liver failure
  • System for scavenging circulating cell-free DNA
  • Research tool for studying sepsis and inflammatory responses

Advantages:

  • Targets multiple mediators of sepsis simultaneously for enhanced efficacy
  • Reduces multi-organ damage from inflammation
  • Targets infection with anti-bacterial agents
  • Low systemic toxicity
  • Simple to produce
  • Low-cost

Lead Inventor:

Kam Leong, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued

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