Therapeutic targets for preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This technology is a method to treat or prevent harmful liver conditions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) by targeting an identified transcription factor TAZ for drug therapy.

Unmet Need: Drug targets for treating or preventing harmful liver conditions

NASH is a common liver problem that develops in certain patients with fatty liver, and it often progresses to more serious conditions such as cirrhosis and liver failure. Despite the frequency of this disease, there is still a poor current understanding of NASH pathophysiology, particularly the conversion between benign fat accumulation in the liver to NASH. As a result, there are currently no approved drugs to treat this disease, leaving liver transplantation as the only current therapeutic option for NASH.

The Technology: Effective method to treat or prevent NASH in the early stages of disease

This technology identifies the transcription factor TAZ as a therapeutic target for treating or preventing NASH. TAZ is a Hippo pathway transcription factor that has been found to be markedly increased in hepatocytes in human and murine NASH liver compared to normal or steatotic liver. By silencing hepatocyte TAZ in patients with NASH the prevention or reversal of hepatic inflammation, hepatocyte death, and fibrosis could be achieved. Based on this deeper understanding of NASH pathophysiology, this technology presents an effective therapeutic target for treating or preventing NASH at an early stage.

This technology has been validated in a mouse model.

Applications:

• Treatment of NASH in human patients
• Prevention of NASH converting to carcinomas
• Identification of targets for non-NASH associated liver fibrosis

Advantages:

• Reduces requirement for liver transplant as treatment option for NASH
• Effective at early stages of disease
• Prevents conversion of steatosis to NASH

Lead Inventor:

Ira Tabas, M.D., Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

• Wang X, Zheng Z, Caviglia JM, Corey KE, Herfel TM, Cai B, Masia R, Chung RT, Lefkowitch JH, Schwabe RF, Tabas I. “Hepatocyte TAZ/WWTR1 Promotes Inflammation and Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis” Cell Metab. 2016 Dec 13; 24(6):848-862.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU16179

• Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez