Dianomi Therapeutics is expanding the use of its patented drug delivery system to include gene therapies.
This comes after licensing a second set of intellectual property from WARF.
The Madison-based startup is developing a technology known as mineral-coated microparticles, which can “stabilize and control” the release of therapeutic drugs and improve their effect. A release shows the MCM technology shares a capacity for biological molecule storage with human bones and teeth.
The MCM technology was developed by UW-Madison’s William Murphy, a professor of biomedical engineering and co-founder of Dianomi. He created the technology in hopes of improving upon artificial polymer-based drug delivery systems, which have more limited function.
“Dianomi has demonstrated success in developing and optimizing MCM delivery for biologics and other small molecules,” Murphy said in a release. “I look forward to Dianomi’s expansion into the area of nucleic acid therapy, building upon the early results of our nucleic acid delivery in regenerative medicine applications.”
Researchers have demonstrated “favorable results” with the MCM technology combined with nucleic acids, the release shows. Early animal studies have shown improvement in the delivery of these genetic materials, “promising a potentially potent and sustained therapeutic effect.”
The new gene therapy application builds on the company’s first product, which delivers therapeutic drugs over time to patients with osteoarthritis. According to the release, company leaders plan to continue developing other applications for the company’s drug delivery method. Targets include heart health, cancer treatment, vaccines, regenerative medicine, neuromuscular and spinal degeneration, and more.
“This new suite of intellectual property expands the capability of Dianomi’s core technology into new indications and markets having significant commercial and clinical interest,” said Martin Ostrowski, chief operations officer and general counsel of Dianomi.
The newly licensed IP from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation includes issued U.S. patents and pending U.S. and international patent applications.
Dianomi Therapeutics is based in FORWARD Biolabs, part of UW-Madison’s Forward BIO Institute. Murphy, Dianomi’s chief science officer, is the institute’s director.
See an earlier story on the company: http://www.wisbusiness.com/2018/forward-bio-institute-awarded-5-million-nih-grant/
–By Alex Moe
WisBusiness.com
