Spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur when direct physical force damages the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column causing bruising, crushing, or tearing of spinal cord tissue. Such injuries can also produce vascular injury with resultant loss of oxygenation (ischemia) or blood clots (hematoma), leading to further damage. Approximately 250,000 - 400,000 people in the U.S. are paralyzed as a result of SCI and the economic impact is an estimated $9.7 billion each year and the cost of treating pressure sores alone is estimated at $1.2 billion. A therapeutic approach to a cure or an improvement would have an enormous socio-economic impact.
Solution
This invention is a novel three component combination therapy which entails
1) the use of specialized nerve growth promoter cells in a bridge-like manner grown from the patient's own cells (Schwann cell bridge),
2) a class of drugs to reduce the inhibition to heal (phosphodiesterase inhibitors) and
3) a specific protein activator (cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cAMP). This combination has been shown to repair and regenerate the spinal cord in preclinical studies which included restoration of function. The preclinical testing is well advanced and preliminary plans for human clinical trials are in discussion.
Competitive Advantage
This is the only treatment that uses the patient's own cells to regenerate the central nervous system. The combination of cells and bioactive agents is unique and together they bridge the gap of the injury and facilitate directional nerve growth.
Applications
This technology can be applied to complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries to prevent, improve or cure paralysis.
Patent Status
U.S. Patent Application No. US20030220280 A1 entitled "Schwann cell bridge implants and phosphodiesterase inhibitors to stimulate CNS nerve regeneration" was published on November 27, 2003.
International Patent Application counterpart WO03065994 was published on August 14, 2003.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking a collaborative partnership for preclinical and clinical testing and commercialization of this novel solution to spinal cord injury.
About the Inventors
Dr. Mary Bartlett Bunge is the Christine E. Lynn Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience, Professor, Cell Biology & Anatomy, Neurological Surgery and Neurology. Dr. Bunge is an internationally recognized expert in the field of central nervous system regeneration and the leading pioneer and developer of the Schwann cell bridge.
Dr. Pearse was trained as a post-doctoral fellow by Dr. Bunge and now as a new faculty member is building a research program and laboratory to explore a wide variety of treatments for SCI.
Selected References
Pearse DD, Pereira FC, Marcillo AE, Bates ML, Berrocal YA, Filbin MT, Bunge MB, cAMP and Schwann cells promote axonal growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury, Nat Med. 2004 Jun;10(6):610-6.
Bunge MB, Pearse DD, Transplantation strategies to promote repair of the injured spinal cord, J Rehabil Res Dev. 2003 Jul-Aug;40(4 Suppl 1):55-62. Review.
