A -- RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT -- THE VA HAS DISCOVERED AND CHARACTERIZED A NEW AND DISTINCT PATHWAY DRIVING INFLAMMATION IN JOINTS AFFLICTED BY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) AND/OR OTHER INFLAMMATORY DISEASES, WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS

Notice Date

July 27, 2001

Contracting Office

National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003-6295

ZIP Code

26003-6295

Solicitation Number

00-045

Response Due

August 31, 2001

Point of Contact

Mr. William Chard -- 800-678-6882 or 304-243-2039

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the contracting officer via (wchard@nttc.edu)

Description

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC), is seeking a commercial partner to license and/or further develop this technology through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) in order to expedite bringing the technology to market. -- -- - The VA has discovered and characterized a new and distinct pathway driving inflammation in joints afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and/or other inflammatory diseases, which may lead to the design and development of effective disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for RA. The subject technology DMARD action is based on the hypothesized relationship between fibrin sequences and the promotion or inhibition of inflammation on fibroblastic cells. -- -- - The current stage of development of the invention is basic research. This research, however, has a clear path to applied research and potential product development. The subject technology appears to have potential applications in combating inflammation in synovial joints, such as RA, and may occur in systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic conditions. The VA has submitted an application for international patent protection under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010731/ASOL008.HTM (W-208 SN50T1P8)