The Technology
Cardiovascular associated diseases are the number one killer contributing to one-in-four deaths in the USA. The number of novel cardiovascular drugs developed in the past 20 years is limited and their efficacy and long-term toxicity is of concern. c-Jun dimerization protein (JDP2) and Activating Transcription Factor 3 (ATF3) are closely related basic leucine zipper proteins. Transgenic mice with cardiac expression of either JDP2 or ATF3 showed maladaptive remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Small molecule inhibitors targeting ATF3 and JDP2 activity can protect against maladaptive cardiac remodeling processes, suppressing heart failure and provide better cardiac output.
Advantages
- Novel cardiovascular drug to improve cardiac contraction and targeting heart failure
- Novel platform for small molecules’ screening for bZIP inhibitors
Applications and Opportunities
- Cardiovascular drug aiming to improve cardiac contraction and suppress maladaptive cardiac remodeling processes leading to heart failure and death
- Small molecules’ screening for bZIP inhibitors to ameliorate cardiac function in heart failure patients
Business Development Contacts