Abscisic acid oral therapy for inflammatory bowel disease
This technology uses abscisic acid (ABA) — a naturally occurring plant hormone also found in humans — as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. ABA works by activating a protein called PPAR-gamma inside gut cells, which dials down inflammation, reduces the adhesion molecules that recruit immune cells to inflamed tissue, and boosts a regulatory immune signal (CTLA-4) that helps calm overactive T cells. The approach is essentially repurposing a well-characterized small molecule, available in pure pharmaceutical form, as an anti-inflammatory gut treatment. Because ABA is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, it may carry a favorable safety profile compared to existing biologics or immunosuppressants.
What you could build
A prescription oral therapy or nutraceutical-grade supplement containing purified abscisic acid for IBD patients or those seeking to maintain gut health; potential buyers include specialty pharma companies developing GI-focused drugs and functional food or supplement brands targeting digestive wellness.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups near the Northern Virginia/DC corridor, or nutraceutical brands could explore licensing for gut-health supplement lines or GI drug development partnerships.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Josep Bassaganya-Riera, Amir Guri, Raquel Hontecillas
- Granted
- February 5, 2013
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 8367727
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.