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New therapeutic target for the inhibition of tumour angiogenesis Market Sector: Cancer Therapeutics, Ophthalmology, Angiogenesis Inhibitors Market Sector: Cancer Therapeutics, Ophthalmology, Angiogenesis Inhibitors Mock Teli CtBP2i Fig. 1 Loss of Tel (Teli) or CtBP (CtBPi), results in a profound inhibition of endothelial sprouting. Primary endothelial cells were grown in an adapted 3-D Albinusdreef 2, PoBox 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands To grow more than a few millimetres in size, tumours must re-route the local vasculature to ensure a ready supply of nutrient and growth factors.This process is called angiogenesis without which tumors would not represent a serious health threat. Consequently, since its discovery close to forty years ago, there has been a global, concerted effort to identify inhibitors of this process. Recently, researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center have uncovered a new mechanism that is central to the control of angiogenesis. Specifically, they have discovered that the evolutionarily conserved complex (Tel/ETV6: CtBP) is indispensable for endothelial cell sprouting. Mechanistically Tel:CtBP moderates the equilibrium between positive and antagonistic angiogenesis cues and renders endothelial cells competent for angiogenesis by repressing expression of negative regulators of the process such as ve-cadherin, delta-like 4 and sprouty family members. These new findings indicate that Tel is a central regulator of angiogenesis and highlight Tel and its associated networks as previously overlooked targets for the development of therapeutic strategies to inhibit aberrant angiogenesis that characterizes all solid tumors as well as eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Keywords Therapeutics, Drug Target, Angiogenesis Modulation, Cancer, AMD, Retinopathy Current study Collaboration with the aim of designing and screening small molecule inhibitors is under evaluation. Commercial Partner Sought Biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies having extensive experience in developing and marketing cancer therapeutics for license and co-development. Key Benefits There is strong evidence that the Etv6/CtBP complex is an essential mediator of angiogenesis. This complex could serve as a therapeutic target for the inhibition of tumour growth and as a target for the treatment of other diseases in which angiogenesis plays a role. Patent / IP Status Patent application filed in March 2009. Applications Identification of angiogenesis inhibiting drugs for the treatment of diseases that involve aberrant angiogenesis, like all solid tumors and eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Albinusdreef 2, PoBox 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Contact details N.B. Vogels, MSc, Technology Transfer Officer, [email protected] Tel. +31 71 526 5559, Fax +31 71 526 6921 www.lumc.nl Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) is strongly committed to the advancement of health care, through research and innovation. In particular, the focus is on translational research, with the overall aim to accelerate transfer of findings from the laboratory to clinical application, and to the market. LUMC has a reputation as a pioneering institute in its field, both nationally and internationally.