Center For Technology Commercialization

Organ Transplant Solutions Comprising C5aRA Peptide

(CHMC Ref. Id: 2005-0107)

Overview:

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there have been over 400,000 organ transplants performed in the United States since 1988. In addition, there are more than 100,000 people on the UNOS waiting list. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome in organ transplantation is the decrease in the viability of the organ once it is removed from the donor. Typically, the organ is either stored under hypothermic conditions for up to 6 hours, or subjected to pulsatile perfusion, which provides longer viability than hypothermic storage. If placed in hypothermic storage, there is a risk of damage to the organ, both during storage and during reperfusion. This can lead to an increased risk of acute or chronic rejection of the organ by the recipient.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's have developed a solution, containing a C5a receptor antagonist (C5aRA), for the preservation, storage, and reperfusion of organs intended for transplantation. The solution increases storage times and lessens injury to transplant organs and can be used to perfuse individual organs after they have been harvested, or, in the case of a deceased donor, perfuse the entire body prior to the removal of the organs.

Applications:

• The preservation, storage, and reperfusion of organs intended for transplantation

Advantages:

• Increased storage time
• Decreased reperfusion injury
• Perfusion can be performed either before or after organs are harvested
• Solution can be optimized

Patent Information:

• Patent Application Pending

Cincinnati Children's Lead Inventor:

Joerg Koehl, M.D.