Turning Concepts Into Products
These technologies are currently available for financing, licensing or partnering. Please contact John Dobak, M.D. at jdobak@jakkgroup.com.
MEMS Based Heart Sensor
JAKK group is leading the development of a novel MEM sensor that can measure the synchrony of the heart contraction and may help improve the response rate of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). CRT is a pacemaker therapy for heart failure that improves heart function through pacing by causing a more coordinated, or synchronous, contraction of the ventricles. It has been one of the most significant advances in heart failure therapy in the last 30 years. Annual CRT device sales are expected to exceed $4.5 BB in the U.S. alone by 2010.
Pharmaceutical Treatment of Regional Fat Accumulations
JAKK Group developed and recently financed an injectable pharmaceutical preparation for the reduction of fat deposits. This technology was spun out as a start-up company, Lithera, Inc. (www.lithera.com). Lithera, Inc. recently received ~$30 MM in venture capital financing to further develop the technology for both medical and lifestyle indications.
Lifestyle treatments are a rapidly growing area of medicine as evidenced by the 3 million Botox® injections administered each year. A similar type of therapy to treat fat deposits, both medically and cosmetically, would be well received. The technology developed by JAKK Group for Lithera was a novel drug formulation of previously marketed (FDA approved) drugs that induces fat cell storage breakdown and inhibits fat cell growth. It is estimated that $3 BB per annum in the U.S. is spent on products and treatments to improve the appearance of regional fat deposits.
Pulmonary Neurostimulation
Stimulation of novel lung receptor targets involved in control of breathing and regulation of cardiovascular physiology may be an effective treatment for heart failure, hypertension, asthma, and sleep apnea. For example, central sleep disturbance that occurs in heart failure can lead to severe cardiovascular dysfunction and may be treated by this technology. The therapy may also have application in obstructive sleep apnea. The estimated market potential for implantable modulation of lung receptors exceeds $1.5 BB in the U.S.
