Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Therapeutics & Vaccines
Therapeutics Vaccines
Novel Subtype of Botulinum Toxin for Pharmaceutical Use
WARF: P06269US

Inventors: Eric Johnson, Kristin Marshall, Sabine Pellett, Marite Bradshaw

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a novel botulinum neurotoxin type A formulation useful for patients resistant to BOTOX.
Overview
Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which can cause debilitating disease but also is used to treat disorders like chronic headache, spastic muscles and strabismus.

The bacteria produce seven distinguishable serotypes of BoNT, designated A-G. Commercially available pharmaceuticals and the cosmetic agent BOTOX are derived from type A. While the most widely used, type A is immunogenic, meaning patients become resistant to it after repeated use.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have isolated a novel plasmid found in a C. botulinum type A strain that is not neutralized by antibodies. The plasmid encodes genes for subtypes BoNT/A3 or BoNT/A4 and BoNT/B. The neurotoxins can be purified and formulated into pharmaceuticals or vaccines.
Applications
  • Producing purified botulinum neurotoxin for research, therapy and cosmetics
Key Benefits
  • Not neutralized by the immune system
  • Could prolong the effectiveness of BOTOX and other treatments
Stage of Development
The researchers have purified botulinum neurotoxin from subtypes A3 and A4.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Intellectual Property
For current licensing status, please contact Andy DeTienne at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9857

WARF