Transcription factors for cochlear hearing loss therapy (SJ-17-0016)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-17-0016

Description

Fish, reptiles, and other organisms can regrow cochlear hair cells to restore hearing loss, but mammals are unable. Cochlear hair cell related hearing loss in humans is permanent and affects 5% of the world’s population (360 Million).  In the U. S., 36 million adults report some hearing loss and 2-3 out of every 1,000 babies have hearing impairments. Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital discovered p27Kip1 inhibitors and Atoh1 activators could be an effective means to regenerate sensory hair cells in human cochleae to treat and restore hearing (Cancer and other patients can lose sensory hair cells and lose hearing as a result of aggressive treatment). The researchers have developed small molecule compounds that target a gene silencing epigenetic complex and/or transcription factor complex in combination with Atoh1 to re-grow hair cells.

Keywords

Hearing Impaired, Atoh1, p27Kip1, cochlear hair cells, p27Kip1 inhibitors/drugs, deaf

Granted patents or published applications

WO 2018/148071

Related scientific references

Licensing opportunities

We are seeking commercial partners who have the potential to license this technology, to develop commercial treatments for the hearing impaired. Contact: chad.riggs@stjude.org

Contact the Office of Technology Licensing (Phone: 901-595-2342, Fax: 901-595-3148) for more information.