Fungal Glucosylceramide as a Vaccine for Fungal Infections

Background:

Fungal infections pose a significant threat to public health. Fungi are common in the environment, as they can thrive in soil, on plants and trees, and on animate objects, including human skin. Despite the availability of antifungal agents, morbidity and mortality from invasive fungal infections remain high, particularly in critically ill patients. Successfully eliminating fungal pathogens following prophylactic or therapeutic immunization depends largely on the ability of the host?s immune system to become appropriately activated in response to the immunization and to mount an effective response that does not significantly damage healthy tissue. A need exists for the development of, and improvement of, fungal vaccines.

Technology Overview:

Researchers in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Stony Brook University invented a technology that uses a purified lipid extracted from nonpathogenic fungal cells as an antigen to stimulate the host immunity so that the host becomes protected when exposed to pathogenic fungal cells.

Advantages:

Increased and longer protection against the infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans.

Applications:

Protection against the infection caused by pathogenic fungal cells.

Intellectual Property Summary:

Patent application submitted

Stage of Development:

Proof of concept data is available. US Utility application filed (#15/515,318)

Licensing Status:

Available for license. Seeking to develop and commercialize, by an exclusive or non-exclusive license agreement and/or sponsored research, with a company active in the area.

Licensing Potential:

Development partner - Commercial partner - Licensing

Additional Information: