Therapeutics

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Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which may cause reduced blood flow to a tissue, or even tissue death. Thrombosis, inflammation, and infections are responsible for >70% of all human mortality. Thrombosis is also the major factor for heart disease and stroke. 500,000 die from thrombosis every year in Europe. Inhibitory treatment of these conditions may also improve the outcomes of several non-fatal diseases. Researchers from Vanderbilt University and Oregon Health & Science University have jointly discovered new monoclonal antibodies that potently inhibit the blood coagulation protein factor XII (FXII), a critical player in the pathway, and anticoagulate blood. This invention provides foundation for commercial development of anti-thrombotic drugs based on new molecular entities.

Liver transplantation is the only cure for end-stage liver disease, but donor organ scarcity limits access for millions. Split liver transplantation could help bridge this gap, but the regeneration of partial organs is critical to broadlyimplementing this approach. Vanderbilt University researchers have identified a growth factor that promotes liver growth that could be used to improve patient outcomes and increase accessibility to liver transplantation.

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a combination photodynamic therapy (PDT) for targeting MRSA infections in skin that is not only effective but also HIGHLY SPECIFIC and LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RESISTANCE, adding a much needed therapy to our quickly depleting arsenal against this pathogen.

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a common and debilitating autoimmune disease, causing dry eye symptoms ranging from discomfort to dysfunction. Vanderbilt researchers have identified orally administered levocarnitine as a novel potential therapeutic for treating this condition.