Purdue University researchers have developed compounds that could treat feline diabetes and a compound that could eliminate bladder cancer cells in dogs. The diabetes compound has been validated in vivo assays, and the bladder cancer compound has been validated in dog studies.
Often innovations utilized for animal health may also be utilized for human health. This research supports Purdue’s One Health mission, which drives innovation at the intersection of human, animal and plant health.
The type 2 diabetes compound may also be developed for and significantly beneficial for humans. Almost 40 million Americans — about 10% — have diabetes; most have type 2. There is no cure. Bladder cancer is the 10th leading cause of cancer death among Americans. Approximately 70 percent of cases recur after surgical treatment, and more than 20 percent of patients develop invasive bladder cancer.
solution 1
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Researchers have developed a novel class of patent-pending small molecules to inhibit the formation of feline and human islet amyloid polypeptides (IAPP). IAPP accumulation is involved in approximately 70% of Type 2 diabetes cases. The three compounds reduced aggregated IAPP at 100 micromolar after an hour. These molecules can be utilized as a future therapeutic and to better understand the role of IAPP in feline and human type 2 diabetes.
The potency of these molecules was validated in vitro by fluorescence assays, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy. They demonstrated the efficacy, selectivity, and ability to inhibit aggregation of IAPP.
in publications & media
Diabetes mellitus drug discovery: insights into targeting feline and human amylin with small molecules
Evaluation of alpha-synuclein and tau antiaggregation activity of urea and thiourea-based small molecules for neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
solution 2
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Researchers have developed a modified, patent-pending bacterial toxin to target the Epidural Growth Factor (EGF) receptor, which plays a role in cell growth and proliferation. The EGF receptor is often overexpressed in bladder cancer cells.
The Purdue modified bacterial toxin proved to be superior to other treatments due to its specificity and high efficacy at eliminating cancer cells, taking only minutes for treatment with enhanced safety. In animal studies, the agent proved very effective against treatment-resistant tumors in dogs. There were no toxic side effects.
Industry partners interested in developing or commercializing the innovations should contact Clayton Houck, Senior Licensing Associate – Life Sciences, cjhouck@prf.org.
