Microparticles as a Treatment Method for Bleeding Disorders
Wenche Jy, Joaquin Jimenez, Lawrence Horstman, Yeon Ahn and Eugene Ahn
Problem
At present, there are no synthetic microparticles or blood cells that have emerged as clinically relevant. There is an endless need, but short supply of blood and blood products for treating patients with bleeding disorders, trauma, internal bleeding, etc. In addition, there is no product that can be universally applied to treat bleeding disorders regardless of the cause: accidental or therapeutic (e.g., as in cancer therapy) exposure to cytotoxins, inherited clotting disorders (such as Haemophilia and von Willebrand's disease) or the prevention of bleeding in surgery or trauma. Finally, exogenous blood sources can be contaminated and be dangerous.
Solution
Microparticles made from a patient's own blood and infused back to the patient in the management of bleeding will avoid serious infections such as viral hepatitis associated with blood transfusions, and prevent allergic reactions and alloimmunization developed with blood transfusion or blood products presently used. Alternatively, this invention may be useful in the production of "universal" microparticles from universal donors (O negative donors: Rh negative). These "universal" MP could then be administered to any patient, regardless of blood type, to induce procoagulant activity.
Competitive Advantage
At present, no synthetic microparticles or blood cells have emerged as being clinically useful. In addition, since the patient's own blood can be used, the risk of acquiring infectious agents from an external blood supply is decreased substantially.
Applications
Microparticles can be administered to patients with low platelet counts, acquired or inherited bleeding disorders and acquired or inherited platelet dysfunction. MP can also be administered to prevent or reduce bleeding prior to surgery or in cases of trauma.
Patent Status
United States National Stage Application US20080069807A1 based on International Appln No. WO2006062945
entitled "CELL-DERIVED MICROPARTICLES AS HEMOSTATIC AGENTS FOR CONTROL OF HEMORRHAGE AND TREATMENT OF BLEEDING DISORDERS" was published on March 20, 2008. Foreign counterparts were filed in Japan on June 7, 2007 and the European Patent Office on July 7, 2007.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking a commercialization partnership for a novel, safe and effective antihemorrhagic therapy.
About the Inventors
Wenche Jy, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Platelet Laboratory, Department of Medicine.
Joachin J. Jimenez, M.D., is a Research Assistant Professor, in the Wallace H. Coulter Platelet Laboratory, Department of Medicine.
Lawrence L. Horstman, B.S. is a Research Associate in the Wallace H. Coulter Platelet Laboratory, Department of Medicine.
Yeon S. Ahn, M.D. is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Wallace H. Coulter Platelet Laboratory, Department of Medicine, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Eugene Ahn, M.D. is in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Selected References
Jy W, Jimenez JJ, Mauro LM, Horstman LL, Cheng P, Ahn ER, Bidot CJ, and Ahn YS. Endothelial microparticles induce formation of platelet aggregates via a von Willebrand factor/ristocetin dependent pathway, rendering them resistant to dissociation. J Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2005, 3:1301-1308.
