Sodium-Glucose Transporter (SGLT) Blocker for Improvement of Peritoneal Dialysis

• Category: Pharma
• Investment Status: Pre-Seed
• Medical Field: Nephrology
• Patent Status: Provisional
• Development Status: In vitro and in vivo POCs completed
• Medical Center: Nephrology Department, Soroka University medical Center

• Inventors: Prof. Amos Duvdevani, Prof. Haviv, Dr. Vorobiov and Dr. Rogachev
  

BACKGROUND: Approximately 300,000 patients worldwide with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) are treated daily by peritoneal dialysis (PD), consuming ~$6.75 Billion market value of PD fluid (PDF). PDF contains glucose as an osmotic agent to absorb water, sodium and toxins transported via the peritoneal membrane. Impediment for PD efficiency is peritoneal absorption of glucose during dialysis. In preliminary studies in mice, blockade of sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT) by subcutaneous injection of phlorizin reduced blood glucose increment and increased peritoneal glucose retention in mice. Phlorizin is a well-known safe food additive investigated both in humans and animals for many years. It is thus plausible that addition of phlorizin to PDF composition will ameliorate ultrafiltration and reduce the undesirable metabolic effects of elevated blood glucose.

TECHNOLOGY: We aim to develop a phlorizin-containing PDF (PPDF) and characterize its efficiency and side effects in small and medium-size animal models (mice and rabbits). Based on standard PDF (1.5% Dianeal) we will define the optimal concentrations of phlorizin. We will formulate PPDF to mitigate hyperglycemia, and maximize peritoneal glucose retention. We will characterize ultrafiltration and test for undesirable effect on gut glucose absorption. 

The realization of our target involves the establishment of a dose-dependent preclinical study characterizing the efficacy of PPDF while minimizing the systemic distribution of phlorizin and its potential side effects.