Technologies

These small peptide molecules protect cells from death in conditions that normally stress and kill them. These non-toxic, membrane permeable molecules related to Ku70 work through the Bax pathway very early in apoptosis prior to caspase activation. Therapeutic uses include minimizing tissue damage associated with transplantation, stroke, cancer, heart attack and neurological injury. Both in vivo and in vitro models show therapeutic utility. In rats, Bax peptide therapy prevented retinal degeneration after optic nerve injury. Mice with acute liver failure given monkey hepatocytes cultured with peptide had prolonged survival and better outcomes after liver transplant. Peptide blocks apoptosis in vitro in a very broad range of tissue types. Issued patent 7,314,866 Divisionals and continuations in prosecution