Executive Summary

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) causes the disease tuberculosis (TB) in humans.  Driven by the hypoxic environment of the granuloma, M. tuberculosis enters a persistent, non-replicating state that is recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy.  Treatment requires a multidrug, 6-9 month therapeutic regimen which has fueled the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, threatening to exacerbate the global TB crisis.  MSU researchers have identified chemical compounds that limit the ability of M. tuberculosis to adapt its physiology for growth in humans. These compounds may provide for a highly effective and faster treatment of chronic or multidrug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis.

Description of Technology

MSU researchers have identified novel chemical compounds to limit growth of or eliminate M. tuberculosis in the chronic stage of tuberculosis.  These compounds may also be very effective in treating emerging chronic strains of multidrug-resistant TB.

Key Benefits

• Significantly shortens therapeutic drug course for tuberculosis patients
• Effective against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Applications

• Tuberculosis therapeutic

Patent Status:

Pending

Licensing Rights Available

Full licensing rights available.

Inventors: Robert Abramovitch, Chris Colvin, Benjamin Johnson 

Tech ID: TEC2013-0105 and TEC2013-0106

Alternative contact due to temporary leave:

Nina (Isi) Davis, Technology Marketing Manager, email: davisnin@msu.edu, phone (direct): (517)884-1829.