On March 28th, Arjan Stoppelenburg received an innovation voucher by Utrecht Holdings, partly on behalf of Naomi Benne and Femke Broere.

We asked them how things are going.

1. Short summary of the invention and voucher.

Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 10% of the western population and can cause disability or even death if insufficiently treated. Current treatments are symptomatic, mostly by life-long use of immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs can dampen disease symptoms, but do not cure the disease.
Regulatory T cells that can specifically control pathogenic inflammation are thought
fundamental to cure or prevent autoimmune diseases. Researchers at the UU have invented an autoantigen-corticosteroid conjugate that can be taken up by antigen presenting cells.
These cells subsequently induce regulatory T cells that are specific for the incorporated autoantigen.

For rheumatoid arthritis, therapeutic and preventative preclinical efficacy has been shown in an animal model. The goal of this project is to expand the preclinical data set by demonstrating efficacy in a different autoimmune disease model, namely the model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Successful completion of this project will reinforce the claim that the technology may be applicable to various autoimmune diseases, and opens a potential route for product development for MS.

2 Can you provide an update on where you are now / are there any new results?

With external partners we have generated preliminary data showing that our technology also works in the MS model. Our innovation therefore can be considered a platform technology with potential application in various autoimmune diseases. We are still investigating the exact effects of our treatment in the MS model and as such are not yet ready for publication. 

3 How has the voucher contributed to the next steps? 

The voucher has enabled us to initiate a valuable strategic partnership to investigate our technology in MS. Importantly, the discoveries we made in the voucher-supported project have strengthened our IP position.  

4 How did Utrecht Holdings (the Business Developer) help you?

Utrecht Holdings helped us by providing the funding, but especially in establishing the collaboration agreement with the eternal partner. UH specifically gave valuable advice in articles on intellectual property. This has ensured a fair agreement for both parties that does not limit further technology valorization.

5 Where do you want to be in two years?