Collaboration opportunity | Licensing opportunity
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have shown that a class of heart drugs known as IKr-specific Class III anti-arrhythmics could provide a new approach for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
In several well established animal models of leukocyte-mediated inflammation, Class III anti-arrhythmics were observed to modulate the recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes and phagocytosis of apoptotic infiltrated cells.
The drugs are well characterised and have marketing approval for other disease types. The researchers say they could be appropriate for the treatment of acute and fibrotic inflammation and of chronic inflammation such as gout, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and tuberculosis.
The Edinburgh Research and Innovation has applied for use patents and is now looking to take the research on towards product development. It is seeking industrial partners to license or fund development of this technology.
Receive our Policy Bulletin each Tuesday & Thursday and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
