OCA-B peptide inhibitor that blocks autoimmune-related signaling to potentially provide long-term therapeutic benefit in patients with conditions such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the host’s immune system is directed towards antigens associated with insulin generating pancreatic β-cells. Life-long insulin therapy alleviates symptoms of T1D, but treatment complications and affiliated conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, continue to affect patients’ health.

Guided by extensive target discovery and GWAS studies, along with a mouse model, a proprietary OCA-B peptide inhibitor has been developed as a treatment for T1D and multiple sclerosis. This approach reduces infiltrating T-cell numbers and alleviates T1D-associated elevated glucose levels without impairing T cell development, base-line function or T-cell memory function.

Optimization & Testing

• Provides cell-permeable peptide inhibitor for T1D treatment.
• Could decrease reliance on external insulin therapy with preservation of pancreatic β-cells.
• Reduces side effects by lowering pathogenic T-cell function in T1D.

Kim H… Tantin D. (2021). Targeting transcriptional coregulator OCAB/Pou2af1 blocks activated autoreactive T cells in the pancreas and type 1 diabetes. J Exp. Med. 218 (3): e20200533. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20200533

Shakya A… Tantin D. (2015). Oct1 and OCA-B are selectively required for CD4 memory T cell function. J Exp. Med. 212(12): 2115-31. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20150363

Publication Number: 2021-523892
Patent Title: OCA-B PEPTIDE CONJUGATES AND METHODS OF TREATMENT
Jurisdiction/Country: Japan
Application Type: Non-Provisional

Jason Young
(801) 587-0519
jason.r.young@utah.edu