Delta
G
New therapies from understanding ageing
Delta
G
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When Delta G was founded we had some intellectual property relating to treatment of Dupuytren's Contracture with VEGF. This exciting idea is described in Vasoprotective VEGF as a candidate for prevention of recurrence of fibrotic diseases such as Dupuytren's Contracture. [William Bains (2003) Medical Hypotheses 60: 793 - 796]. Dupuytren's Contracture is a disease caused by the proliferation of contractile, fibroblastic cells adjacent to the palmar faciae of the hand. Cellular proliferation is apparently related to similar 'myofibroblast' proliferation in wound healing, but continues in the absence of wounding. We believe that this is a similar process to that which happens in the vascular wall during vascular surgery, that the myofibroblasts are at least partially similar to smooth muscle cells in phenotype. So, treatment with VEGF, either as protein or via gene therapy, which has proven successful in controlling aberrant, wounding-related cell proliferation in arterial grafting, may be valuable in preventing recurrence of Dupuytren's disease after surgery.
After a review of the commercial opportunities for this programme in 2005, Delta G reluctantly concluded that it could not continue to support this project. We still have substantial commercial data on the concept, and have identified where IP might be gained. If any parties would like to collaborate with us on using this knowledge, we would be very happy to hear from you.
Background and scientific material on this project can be seen by clicking here