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Principal Investigator
Robert Schneider, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry
New York University School of Medicine
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an international public health problem
of wide proportions. It has been estimated that 350 million people worldwide are
infected with this virus. The course of infection can range from inapparent to acute
hepatitis and severe chronic liver disease. HBV is a DNA-containing para-retrovirus
that replicates by reverse transcription but comprises a separate family of viruses
from retroviruses, known as hepadnaviruses. Human HBV is the prototype virus in a
family that all possess a similar viral architecture and genetic arrangement, although
only infection with the mammalian hepadnaviruses HBV causes both acute and chronic
active hepatitis and HCC. There are currently very limited therapeutics available
for the treatment of HBV infection. Anti-HBV vaccines are currently being used to
prevent HBV infection. However, the efficacy of these vaccines to treat chronic HBV
infection and the availability of these vaccines to treat this worldwide health problem
remains to be determined. Therefore, the need for an effective anti-HBV therapeutic
still exists.
Description of the Project
Dr. Schneider and his research team have continued to define the role that HBx, a
viral polypeptide, plays in the life cycle of HBV. They discovered that activation
of a Src Kinase signaling cascade is a critical function provided by HBx for mammalian
hepadnavirus replication. Subsequently, they have shown that Src kinases are also
activated during HBV infection of cultured cells and that this activation is an essential
function of the viral HBx protein. Since HBx activation of Src kinase signaling cascade
is essential for HBV replication, targeting HBx with anti-viral agents should result
in a highly specific and efficacious method of blocking HBV replication. The basis
of this technology encompasses a variety of techniques and compounds to target the
activities of HBx essential for HBV replication including:
• The use of Src kinase inhibitors to treat HBV infection
• The use of HBx inhibitors for the treatment of HBV
• Known gene therapy approaches
All these techniques may be used as methods to treat and prevent HBV infection and
HCC.
Applications
NYU is seeking an industrial partner to assist in further development and commercialization
of this technology.
The techniques described can be utilized for a variety of approaches for treating
hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Patent Status
Patent applications covering this novel technology have been filed in the United
States and with the PCT.
For further information please contact
New York University
Office of Industrial Liaison
650 First Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10016
Tel: (212) 263-8178 Fax: (212) 263-8189
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