A compound developed at The University of Toledo that can be used to prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid into surrounding tissue following a traumatic injury to the human body has been licensed to Prolong Pharmaceuticals for continued development and commercialization.

The invention uses polyethylene-glycol (PEG) to modify albumin, a protein found in blood, to expand the blood’s volume and prevent it from escaping through holes in blood vessels.

“The University of Toledo is proud of our role in developing this technology that has the potential to save lives and limit the internal fluid leakage that can lead to multi-organ dysfunction and failure, and even death,” UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs said. “This technology is an example of the great contribution the science developed and patented at The University of Toledo can have on people around the globe.”

The technology – developed by Dr. Ragheb Assaly, professor and director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit, Dr. David Dignam, professor of biochemistry and Dr. Joseph Shapiro a former professor of nephrology and now dean of the Marshall University medical school – promises to become the optimal blood volume expander to prevent decreased blood volume caused by severe burns, hemorrhagic shock, sepsis, anaphylaxis, traumatic brain injury, adult respiratory distress syndrome and other traumatic injuries.

PEG-albumin has been tested in animal models and in all cases has demonstrated superiority to regular albumin as a plasma expander.

“The university is excited to enter into this license with Prolong Pharmaceuticals for the development and commercialization of this technology,” said Stephen Snider, vice president of technology transfer and associate general counsel. “This collaboration with Prolong will serve to bring this life-saving treatment to patients and further UT’s mission to improve the human condition.”

About Prolong Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, Prolong Pharmaceuticals, LLC is developing products to treat several diseases and their debilitating comorbidities associated which cause reduced quality of life, increased medical cost and significant mortality. The company’s lead product, SANGUINATE™, is in clinical testing, focused on treating the comorbidities of sickle cell disease and other disorders where oxygen deprivation due to hemolysis and/or ischemia occurs. The company’s senior management team includes inventors of the most successful drug delivery technology in pharmaceutical history, PEGylation, now responsible for more than $30 billion in drug sales worldwide. For more information visit: www.prolongpharma.com.

About The University of Toledo

Established in 1872, The University of Toledo has 16 colleges and six Ohio campuses and offers more than 230 doctoral, professional, graduate and undergraduate programs. Nearly 350 student athletes comprise 15 Division 1 Rocket athletic teams. UT has earned national and international acclaim for its expertise in technology transfer and commercialization, solar and advanced renewable energy, environmental sciences, astronomical research, translational research and biomarkers. For more information about The University of Toledo visit: www.utoledo.edu