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An Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Monitoring Galactosemia

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R41DK076481-01A1
Agency Tracking Number: DK076481
Amount: $153,311.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
VANDALIA RESEARCH, INC. 940 4TH AVE, STE 350
HUNTINGTON, WV 25701
United States
DUNS: 611002218
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 MENASHI COHENFORD
 (304) 529-0803
 cohenford@marshall.edu
Business Contact
Phone: (304) 529-0803
Email: gregg@vandaliaresearch.com
Research Institution
 MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
 
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY 401 11TH STREET, SUITE 1400
HUNTINGTON, WV 25701-4899
United States

 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term objective of this proposal is to develop a diagnostic kit for monitoring nonenzymatically galactated proteins in galactose. Classical galactose is a disorder of galactose metabolism caused by a deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase. The resulting severe impairment of galactose metabolism has been recognized for half a century and the frequency of this disorder is estimated to be 1 in 40,000 births. Generally, the biochemical phenotype includes elevated concentrations of galactose, galactose-l- phosphate and galactitol in tissue and body fluids. While the disease is generally fatal, treatment consisting of severe restriction of dietary galactose has proved life saving; nevertheless, most patients develop neurological abnormalities despite this diet. Earlier studies demonstrated the occurrence of elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin/albumin in galactosemia prompting the speculation that, akin to diabetes with glycated proteins, the monitoring of galactated proteins may prove useful for managing galactosemic patients. During Phase I, we will attempt to develop a monoclonal antibody probe directed to nonenzymatically galactated albumin that by standard immunological techniques will prove specific to galactated albumin. This probe will be then used in ELISA to establish its sensitivity and range of detection. Phase II efforts will focus on evaluating this ELISA in a clinical setting and optimizing its performance for the management of galactosemic patients. Phase III efforts will focus on the commercialization of this assay. Vandalia Research, Inc. is committed to manufacture, market and sell the diagnostic kit that will result from this research effort. Pediatricians and internists have long been waiting for assays to monitor galactosemic patients; a method to quantify galactated proteins may provide a viable approach for preventing or delaying many of the complications of the disease including the onset of neurological damage during childhood and post adolescent years.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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