DELIVERY OF GENE THERAPY TO CORNEA OR SKIN

Certain therapeutic proteins have tremendous potential for treatment of the skin and/ or cornea. Examples include the use of growth factors to promote wound healing and the use of IL-1 receptor to reduce inflammation and promote corneal graft survival. Effective delivery of therapeutic proteins in topical formulations is limited.

Researchers at UCSF have developed a system for delivering therapeutic proteins via genetically modified tissue to be applied like wound dressing. The genetically modified tissue is prepared with an adenoviral gene therapy vector from readily available human biomaterial. Expression of the transgene has been measured in transplanted tissue for up to one week. Work to further characterize the effectiveness of this delivery system is underway in animal models.

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Joel B. Kirschbaum, Ph.D.
Director & Senior Technology Portfolio Manager
(415) 353-4462 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Joel Kirschbaum, Ph.D.

Reference: OTM Case #SF99-093