B-raf as a novel drug target for treatment of anxiety and depression related disorders

Referenznummer TO 01-00749

 

Challenge 
Depression and anxiety disorders represent some of the most common and prolif-erating health problems worldwide. Both types are serious medical conditions that affect e.g. about 14% of the European population at some point in their lifetime. In addition, unipolar depression is predicted to become the second most prevalent cause of illness-induced disability by 2020. A better understanding of the patho-physiology of these disorders and the development of novel, improved therapeu¬tics would fulfil a considerable unmet medical need.

Technology

Mutations resulting in B-raf activation, have been identified in several cancers in-cluding melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, and papillary thyroid carcinoma, and currently, several compounds are undergoing clinical evaluation. Conditional mouse mutants harbouring a genetic inactivation of the B-raf gene in  forebrain neurons were tested for behavioural alterations. The mutants mice exhibited a strongly reduced anxiety like behaviour, reduced depression like behaviour and exhibited myo-relaxation without any signs of sedation. Thus, the invention offers an alternative entry point by inhibiting B-raf kinase activity in the brain for the therapy of anxiety and depression disorders. Either known B-raf inhibitors or novel compounds might act as suitable drug candidates for the new treatment option of anxiety and depression disorders. Moreover, for this novel drug target conditional mouse mutants harbouring a genetic inactivation of the B-raf gene in forebrain neurons are available for compound evaluation.

Commercial Opportunity

The technology is available for licensing or for a further collaborative development. 

Developmental Status
The technology has been successfully evaluated in the specified animal models. For further validation of the therapeutic concept behavioural tests of wt-mice treated with b-raf inhibitors are planned.

Patent Situation

In June 2007 a priority application was filed in US (US60/941,846) fol¬lowed by a PCT application (WO/EP2008/004416) in 2008. National phases were entered in US and EP.
 

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Kontakt:

Sigrid Scheek, Ph.D.
Technology Manager
Ascenion GmbH

T: +49 (0)89 318814-34
F: +49 (0)89 318814-20
scheek@ascenion.de