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Biomarkers to predict lung overstretching

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TOES20230607028
Term of Validity
7 June 2023 - 6 June 2025
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
Spanish and Canadian researchers have developed methods of diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation of treatments of lung overstretching, based on the determination of the levels of specific miRNAs and subsequent comparison with other reference values, having clinical applications of relevance such as adjustment of mechanical ventilation in subjects suffering from it. License agreements are sought with companies operating in the medical field to develop and market applications of the technology.
Full Description
The owners of the present invention are FINBA (Foundation for Biosanitary Research and Innovation of the Principality of Asturias) in Spain, University of Oviedo (Spain), CIBER (Biomedical Research Network Centre (Spain) and Unity Health Toronto (Canada).

Lung damage associated with mechanical ventilation is caused by an increase in mechanical stress in the tissue, which triggers cell death and inflammation. This damage has been linked to a higher rate of death from disease in patients with lung damage. There are currently no specific biomarkers that specifically serve to monitor the level of mechanical stress that tissue is undergoing. The patent describes a new micro-RNA signature associated with mechanical stress in lung tissue and biological samples. After quantification, microRNAs are combined in a score proportional to the amount of lung stretch, allowing the diagnosis and monitoring of lung overstretching. Therefore, repeated measurements can help to optimize ventilatory setting in patients.

The present invention is therefore applicable in the medical field and the IPR owners would like to reach license agreements with companies operating in such area, so they can develop and market applications of the technology.
Advantages and Innovations
The innovative aspects of the invention are related to the following points:

-It is possible to monitor the evolution of patients receiving mechanical ventilation in real-time.

-Expression data is combined into a single score, proportional to the amount of lung stretch.

-These new biomarkers are highly sensitive and specific, even in the presence of another cause of lung injury.

-The signature has been validated not only in lung tissue, but also in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mechanically ventilated patients, with areas under the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve between 0.89 and 1.

-miRNAs can be quantified by different technologies (from qPCR to sequencing to dedicated sensors).
Stage of Development
  • Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
IPR status
  • IPR granted

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Biomedical/Biotechnological company interested in a license and/or a collaboration agreement to develop and exploit this asset.
Type and Size of Partner
  • University
  • Big company
  • SME <=10
  • SME 11-49
  • SME 50 - 249
  • R&D Institution
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 06001005 - Diagnostics, Diagnosis
  • 06002007 - In vitro Testing, Trials
  • 06001012 - Medical Research
  • 06002002 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • 06003002 - Gene Expression, Proteome Research
Market keywords
  • 05001005 - Molecular diagnosis
  • 05001002 - In-vitro diagnostics
Sector Groups Involved
  • Health
Targeted countries
  • All countries