Background

Occurring in ~1 in 2500 live births, CDH is a developmental defect of the diaphragm resulting in herniation of the abdominal viscera into the chest. With an average mortality rate of 20-30%, many CDH survivors require intensive neonatal care and often present with long-term morbidity.

While postnatal surgical intervention can repair the defect, the associated pulmonary hypoplasia and abnormal lung vascular development can result in substantial morbidity and mortality.

Technology Overview

University of Manitoba researchers have identified:

A panel of maternal circular RNAs to allow a clinician to determine if a fetus diagnosed with CDH would benefit from a prenatal surgical intervention (fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion).
A miRNA (miR‑200b) that can; a) more accurately predict the success of the prenatal surgical intervention, and b) when administered prenatally as a therapeutic, prevent abnormal lung development seen in CDH, potentially removing the need for prenatal surgical intervention.

Benefits

Circular RNA biomarkers present in maternal fluids are more accurate than prenatal ultrasound or MRI in diagnosing CDH and in calculating the chance of success for prenatal surgical interventions.

Being able to predict the success and survival of patients undergoing prenatal tracheal surgical interventions will allow clinicians to determine in advance if future interventions will be required.

The use of a prenatal non-surgical intervention may significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CDH, while also decreasing the level and length of neonatal care required after birth.

Applications

Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias.

Opportunity

Current research is focused on expanding the in vivo studies to include additional animal models for CDH ( rabbit and sheep). UM is seeking a partner to assist in:

Developing a preclinical testing program for the miR‑200b therapeutic.
Further validation of the circular RNA biomarkers in maternal blood plasma.

Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias (CDH)

Patents

IP Status

Seeking