Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to debilitating and sometimes life-threatening complications. Bowel disorders (i.e. IBS & IBD) affect more than 64 millions of Americans for life with an onset age in adolescence & 20s. Current treatments for IBD only address the symptoms and are not curative, and they have potentially serious side effects.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Manitoba have recently explored the utilization of Catestatin (CTS) to disrupt colonic microbiota composition. Animal data shows that intrathecal CTS treatment in mice with DSS induced Colitis positively modifies the balance of the bacterial community composition without affecting the richness of the bacterial species neither in fecal and colonic samples.

Backed by an issued US patent, the results show that CTS treatment holds potential as a new antibacterial treatment for disorders associated with bacterial balance in the gut.

Benefits

• Does not affect functional diversity or stability of beneficial bacteria
• In vivo data suggest higher likelihood of clinical success
• Promising for:

1. Prevention and/or treatment for IBS, IBD, obesity & type 2 diabetes
2. Reduction on frequency of attacks for IBD &/or IBS
3. Reduction of one or more symptoms
4. Reduction of symptoms severity
5. Increase the length of time between symptoms

Applications

• Prevention and / or treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Prevention and / or treatment for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Opportunity

• Currently looking for research partners
• Technology is available for exclusive licensing