Cincinnati Children's Receives Patent Donation from P&G
Cubosome Technology will Benefit Premature Babies
CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center was selected by The Procter & Gamble Company to receive a donation of patents relating to cubosome technology. The Skin Sciences Institute at Cincinnati Children's will use the donated cubosome technology to develop a synthetic vernix -- the cheesy white substance that coats infants in late gestation -- to help premature infants who are born without it.
Cubosomes are best described as nanoparticles with a unique cubic shape and broad functional chemistry that make them suitable as a delivery vehicle for topically applied pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. P&G's technology is unique in that it allows cubosomes to be made on a commercial scale and be customized to accommodate virtually any molecule in a variety of product forms such as gels, liquids or powders.
"We are particularly interested in the application of the cubosome technology in the development of a synthetic vernix," said Marty Visscher, PhD, executive director of the Skin Sciences Institute. "We believe this has the potential to solve a serious health problem that premature newborns face."
Vernix is a complex mixture of lipids (fats), proteins and water. It is formed late in gestation and has an integral role in normal skin development. Since premature infants are not covered with vernix, their skin is not fully developed. This increases their risk of infection and dehydration.
The cubosome donation is the second major patent donation from P&G to Cincinnati Children's. In 2001, P&G donated pigmentation control technology known as deoxyarbutin to the Skin Sciences Institute. Scientists at Cincinnati Children's have continued to develop and improve deoxyarbutin, and the Office of Intellectual Property and Venture Development at Cincinnati Children's has undertaken significant marketing and licensing efforts for that technology. Cincinnati Children's recently licensed deoxyarbutin to California Phar-Med, Inc., which plans to develop pigmentation control products for sale in China.
"P&G is particularly pleased with the progress the Skin Sciences Institute has made with the development of the donated deoxyarbutin technology," said Jeff Weedman, vice president, External Business Development and Global Licensing of P&G. "The success Cincinnati Children's is having with commercializing deoxyarbutin is what we envisioned when we began our technology donation program. This past history of success along with Children's keen interest in further developing the cubosome technology made them the lead candidate to receive the donation."
Similarly, Cincinnati Children's was pleased to be considered for the donation. "Our experience in working with P&G on the first donation has been very positive. We'll continue to look at donation opportunities, whether from P&G or other companies, as long as they fit within our existing technology portfolio," noted Joseph Fondacaro, PhD, director of the Office of Intellectual Property and Venture Development at Cincinnati Children's.
About P&G's Technology Donation Program
P&G donates all rights to patent portfolios that no longer fit into the company's overall strategic plans, but promise strong commercial potential upon development of the technology, by universities and research institutions. These donations serve to foster development work at universities and research institutions that can deliver new revenue streams and develop important new technologies that otherwise may never have been commercialized.
About The Skin Sciences Institute
The Skin Sciences Institute at Cincinnati Children's is a unique, multidisciplinary group of researchers from the Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation and the Departments of Surgery and Dermatology, the Shriners Burns Institute, and the Colleges of Pharmacy, Engineering and Nursing at the University of Cincinnati. Research efforts are focused on infant skin development, wound healing and skin restoration. Their goal is to optimize skin health and minimize environmental damage.
About Procter & Gamble (P&G)
P&G markets nearly 300 brands to five billion consumers in 160 countries. P&G makes a significant annual investment in developing and improving its products -- leading the way in R&D globally among consumer products companies. P&G's External Business Development and Global Licensing organization is charged with ensuring the company maximizes the value of its 'treasure trove' of technologies by selling, licensing and, in some cases, donating these technologies. The unit is also responsible for licensing select P&G brand trademarks. For more information on licensing P&G technology, go to: http://www.pgtechnologytransfer.com/
Contact Information
Jim Feuer, 513-636-4656,
jim.feuer@cchmc.org
