OX-DRAGON is novel drug that crosses the cell membranes and mimics the effects of the orexins, substances released by neural cells that are key to our normal functioning and that are deficient in patients affected by narcolepsy type 1, a severe neurological disorder.
| Patent title | Artificial protein and its uses |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Health |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Giorgio Medici, Viviana Carmen Lo Martire, Stefano Bastianini, Sara Alvente, Gabriele Matteoli, Chiara Berteotti, Alessandro Silvani, Giovanna Zoccoli, Elisabetta Ciani, Giuseppe Plazzi, Stefania Trazzi |
| Protection | Italy (opportunity for seeking patent protection internationally) |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, options, licenses, and other valorization agreements. |
| Keywords | Orexin, Narcolepsy, Cataplexy |
| Filed on | 30 June 2022 |
Orexins are substances released by certain nerve cells that exert their effects by binding to two different types of receptors, known as OR1 and OR2. These effects include the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, food intake and energy consumption, inflammation, pain, and the inhibition of the growth of certain tumor cells. Nerve cells that produce orexins are deficient in patients with a severe neurological disorder, type 1 narcolepsy (NT1). Among the most serious symptoms associated with NT1 is cataplexy, characterized by the sudden onset of muscle weakness during wakefulness, with variable and sometimes severe extension.
OX-DRAGON is a new drug active on OR1 and OR2 receptors. Experiments on mice demonstrate that OX-DRAGON is effective in reducing cataplexy after subcutaneous injection in an NT1 model.
OX-DRAGON has the potential to be a new anti-cataplectic drug for the treatment of NT1. Furthermore, based on available knowledge in the published scientific literature, it may have applications for the treatment of other conditions, including type 2 narcolepsy, obesity, sepsis, chronic pain, heart failure, and certain forms of cancer.