Partner search

 

<< Back to profile list

Enquire about this opportunity - see below

Country of origin: Hungary

Summary

A Hungarian medical research institute, active in the field of the kynurenic acid research, has developed a molecule with highly protective effects on the gastrointestinal system. Pharmacological values, effects of the molecule could be interesting for the pharmacological industry. The institute is searching for partners in the pharmaceutical research sector and is interested in cooperation for joint further development or license agreement.

Full description

The Hungarian medical research institute, based on the kynurenic acid research, has developed a molecule with highly protective effects in the gastrointestinal system. The institute is looking for companies and research institutes having experience in pharmaceutical research for joint further development, in order to produce a medicament or a medicinal formulation.

The substance is an analogue of the naturally occurring substance (kynurenic acid) with highly protective effects in the gastrointestinal system. The target of the molecule is mainly excitatory receptors. It may also have some influence on MS (Multiple sclerosis). In vivo and in vitro tests were performed on male wistar rats, mice and on dogs.

Kynurenic acid (KynA), an endogenous antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, protects the central nervous system in excitotoxic neurological diseases.

It was hypothesised at the experimental colon obstruction in dogs that the inhibition of enteric glutamate receptors by KynA may influence dysmotility in the gastrointestinal tract. Group 1 of healthy dogs served as the shamoperated control, in group 2, the animals were treated with KynA, while in groups 3 and 4 mechanical colon obstruction was maintained for 7 h. Group 4 was treated with KynA at the onset of ileus. Hemodynamics and motility changes were monitored, and the activities of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined from tissue samples. Colon obstruction induced a hyper dynamic circulatory reaction, significantly elevated the motility index and increased the mucosal leukocyte accumulation and the XOR activity. The KynA treatment augmented the tone of the colon, permanently decreased the motility index of the giant colonic contractions and reduced the increases in XOR and MPO activities. These effects were concomitant with the in vitro inhibition of XOR activity.

In conclusion, KynA antagonizes the obstruction-induced motility responses and XOR activation in the colon. Inhibition of enteric NMDA receptors may provide an option to influence intestinal hypermotility and inflammatory changes.

In summary, the results demonstrate an important role for glutamate receptors in the patho-physiology of acute colon obstruction-induced motility changes. These findings reveal that KynA not only significantly inhibits the contraction of the GMCs in the colon, but also exerts a protective, anti-inflammatory effect due to the inhibition of XOR-derived oxygen radical production and leucocyte activation. It remains to be established whether the findings in this experimental model are applicable to humans. However, together with previous observations, these data strongly suggest that suppression of the hypermotility function of the NMDA receptors might be beneficial in serving as a supplementary tool with which to influence the excitotoxicity complications in the intestine.

Innovative Aspects

Molecule with highly protective effects on the gastrointestinal system:

- The molecule has highly protective effects in the gastrointestinal system.
- The substance is an analogue of the naturally occurring substance (kynurenic acid).
- The target of the molecule is mainly excitatory receptors.

Partner expertise sought:

- Type of partner sought: Industrial partner or research institute.

- Specific area of activity of the partner: Pharmaceutical sector.

- Task to be performed by the partner sought:
Integrate the technology into its processes with technical assistance and know-how transfer from the Hungarian institute and joint further R&D cooperation.

Listed under: Medicine/healthcare/veterinary \ Chemistry & Chemical Engineering \ Pharmaceuticals/cosmetics \ Biotech, Pharma and Cosmetics

Show me similar profiles (18)

 

Key dates Profile created on: 01 February 2010 Date last updated: 16 March 2010 Closing date: 26 January 2011

Select an option from below to enquire about this opportunity: