Acetaminophen (paracetamol or acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP)) is used as an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever and fever reducer.
Improper use or overdose of Acetaminophen is said to cause severe liver damage with the potential to progress to APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) and acute liver failure.
The Phase I small business technology transfer program (STTR) grant will enable Ventria and University of Colorado to study the effects of recombinant human lactoferrin, a milk-derived, iron-binding glycoprotein having multiple anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, in the treatment of AILI.
University of Colorado pharmaceutical science associate professor and study principal investigator Cynthia Ju said the previous studies have shown that lactoferrin has a profound ability to protect the liver in a murine model of AILI.
"Our collaboration with Ventria Bioscience presents an excellent opportunity to expand on these findings and investigate the feasibility of developing a novel treatment for AILI using Ventria’s recombinant human lactoferrin as a therapeutic," Ju added.
Ventria Bioscience president and CEO Scott Deeter said the company’s work with Ju’s group exemplifies the company’s approach toward product development.
" Results generated by this study will form the basis for submission of a phase II STTR research proposal," Deeter added.