Licensing opportunity
Scientists at the University of Zurich have shown that in mouse models of Helicobacter-infection induced gastric cancer the use of PARP (Poly ADP ribose polymerase) blockers leads to a regression of pre-existing lesions.
Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium causes a chronic low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and is strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.
Invention: This invention is based on the following findings in three different preclinical models:
oral administration of a PARP inhibitor dissolved in the drinking water efficiently blocks the formation of preneoplastic lesions such as atrophic gastritis, epithelial hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia (performed in C57Bl6 mice lacking the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 which where infected with H. felis).
The same treatment further leads to the regression of pre-existing lesions, a promising finding, as no other treatments for these conditions are available (performed in C57Bl6 mice which lack CD4+ T-cells and therefore develop preneoplastic lesions with similar kinetics as wild type mice, but with higher uniformity).
PARP inhibition induces stable regression of preneoplastic lesions (well beyond the end of therapy) if applied together with antibiotic eradication therapy targeting the Helicobacter infection (performed in C57Bl6 Myd88-/-mice).
A patent application has been filed.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.
