Imperial seeks £300K to develop transplant research

Investment opportunity

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a positive side-effect of radiation treatment that could prevent rejection of transplants.  The scientists are now looking for investment to further develop these findings into new therapies for transplant acceptance.

It has been found that radiation treatment can encourage the immune system to accept donated bone marrow instead of rejecting it.  Current radiation treatment is used to kill leukemia cells or make room for donor immune cells to replace bone marrow.  In mouse models T cells which are involved in the response of the immune system are killed but regulatory T cells, which prevent the immune system from attacking transplanted cells, survive, suggesting resistance to the radiation.

“The idea is to initially develop the principle to treat other diseases for the next 2 years or so. Radiation is a good approach to produce the immune regulation but is not sufficient,” said Professor Francesco Dazzi, leading the research at Imperial College London, “This will require a fairly limited investment (about £250,000-300,000). The second step will be to test the results in the clinical setting.”

Previously the project has been funded by Cancer Research UK, but Prof. Dazzi added that he is “looking to apply for further funding to academic organisations. Interest from the private sector will be desirable.” Partnership is required for both financial and technical support, in the generation of suitable forms of antigens.

All forms of collaboration would be considered including direct investment, licensing or contract research.  Professor Dazzi is investigating the possibility of patenting the procedure which could be developed into potentially assisting other types of organ transplants.