Compositions and Methods of Treating a Subject with Taurine and Derivatives Thereof

Background:

Activities such as burning fossil fuels and manufacturing have caused lead contamination throughout the world. Lead is a developmental neurotoxicant that causes brain damage, with children and adolescents being most at risk. Chelation therapy is typically used to remove lead from the blood stream; however, once lead is deposited within the central and peripheral nervous system, chelation is ineffective. Beyond chelators, no drugs are currently available to specifically target the central and peripheral nervous tissues; therefore, drug to treat lead poisoning throughout the nervous system and to protect against chronic exposure is critically needed.

Technology Overview:

Researchers at SUNY Old Westbury have created a method involving the use a therapeutic amount of taurine or taurine derivatives for treating and preventing neurological symptoms, such as anxiety or loss of cognitive function, associated with lead poisoning. This cost-effective drug treatment option is delivered as a single drug rather than a mixed drug cocktail, which substantially reduces undesirable drug side effects and drug-to-drug interactions.

Advantages:

Treats neurological symptoms of lead poisoning

Protects the brain in situations where exposure to lead is unavoidable

Inexpensive

Delivered as a single drug rather than a multi-drug cocktail

Applications:

Lead is a developmental neurotoxicant that causes brain damage. Until now, no drugs have been available to target lead once it has deposited in the central and peripheral nervous tissues. This cost-effective method for treating and preventing neurological symptoms, such as anxiety or loss of cognitive function, associated with lead poisoning involves taurine or taurine derivatives in amounts suitable for therapeutic use.

Intellectual Property Summary:

US Nonprovisional 16/880,796

Patent application submitted

Licensing Status:

Seeking development partner, licensing.