Fibroblasts Growth Factor-18 (FGF-18) in the Treatment of Diseases Involving Cartilage Degeneration
Background
- Cartilage is an essential structural component in many articular and non-articular areas of the body.
- Diseases involving cartilage degeneration are common and are associated with significant pain and morbidity and, depending on location, may be life threatening.
- Currently, there are no therapies or treatments directed specifically at inhibiting cartilage degeneration or, more importantly, promoting cartilage regeneration and reconstruction.
Description of Current Technology
Dr. Jeffrey Whitsett of the the Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation using various animal models and research tools has reported marked expansion of tracheal-bronchial cartilage tissue in conducting airways of fetal mice expressing the transgene encoding mouse FGF-18 cDNA. In addition, ectopic expression of cartilage in the lung periphery is observed at sites not normally containing cartilage. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated that mouse FGF-18 mRNA was selectively expressed in stromal cells surrounding tracheal cartilage rings and in larynx at the sites of cartilage formation. These findings support the concept that FGF-18 uniquely induces cartilage programming during development and specification of tissue and, thus, along with its receptors and signaling pathways, represents part of a molecular pathway that could be used to induce new cartilage formation or expand cartilage growth in various sites in the body including tracheal-bronchial rings, larynx, joints, bones and other sites where deposition of cartilage and bone could be therapeutic or beneficial.
Objective
We are currently seeking a corporate partner to provide funding for target validation studies preferably under an option agreement and to eventually license this technology for the commercial development of a novel therapy for the treatment of disease involving cartilage degeneration.
Contact
To review further confidential data and other information regarding this opportunity, please contact:
Joseph D. Fondacaro, PhD
Director, Office of Intellectual Property & Venture Development
Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation
Mail Location 7032
3333 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
Phone: 513-636-7695
Fax: 513-636-8453
Email: jdfonda@chmcc.org
Related Study Information
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