Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of mortality. Over 50 million American adults have high serum cholesterol levels that place them at high risk for CHD. We propose to develop new efficacious and safe therapies biopolymer substrates as non-systemic hypercholesterolemic agent with significantly greater bile acid binding and therefore better cholesterol-lowering efficacy than cholestyramine. The objective of Phase I is to determine the feasibility of using biopolymers with inherent cholesterol-lowering properties and enhancing their efficacy by chemical modifications. The bile acid binding capacities of these materials will be evaluated by in vitro testing. The best candidates will be identified and selected for subsequent in vivo (animal) screening. The two most promising drug candidates for in vivo demonstration of their efficacy. This will include tests to determine: in vivo bile acid binding capacity. inhibition of plasma cholesterol elevation, fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretion, and plasma cholesterol-lowering potential of the drug candidates. The identification of safe and potent non-systemic hypercholesterolemic agents is considered to provide a significant therapeutic benefit to a broad section of the population.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Half of the adult American population has elevated cholesterol levels that may increase their risk of developing coronary heart disease. The identification of a safe and potent non-systemic cholesterol-lowering drug could be of significant therapeutic benefit.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43HL062766-01
Application #
2867223
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-W (16))
Project Start
1999-09-29
Project End
2000-03-28
Budget Start
1999-09-29
Budget End
2000-03-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Biopolymer Technologies International
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Westborough
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01581