Methods Of Treating Established Colitis Using Antibodies Against IL-12

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a recently characterized cytokine with unique structure and pleiotropic effects. IL-12 is produced mainly by macrophages/monocytes and can be efficiently induced by intracellular parasites, bacteria and bacterial products. A method for treating the established colitis of an inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, by inhibiting the colitis-inducing effects of the cytokine IL-12 has been invented. Additionally, a method for treating their effectiveness in reducing the inflammatory response is also presented.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Gastrointestinal disorders -- treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis		Anti IL-12 inhibits the primary underlying mechanism of granulomatous inflammation rather than the secondary (downstream) mediators of inflammation. Thus, it is a more effective, more permanent therapy for such inflammation.

Development Stage:
* Positive preliminary studies in mice with induced colitis * Positive preliminary studies in mice with spontaneous colitis

Inventors:

Warren Strober (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...

Markus Neurath (NIAID)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
U.S. Pat: 5,853,697 issued 1998-12-29

Publications:
MS Neurath, I Fuss, BL Kelsall, E Stuber, W Strober: Antibodies to interleukin 12 abrogate established experimental colitis in mice. J Exp Med 182:1281-90, 1995

Licensing Contact:
Charles Rainwater,
Email: crainwater@niaid.nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-2644

OTT Reference No: E-097-1995-0
Updated: Jul 1, 1996