This technology provides a method for designing and screening drugs that target the catalytic subunit of telomerase. Modulators of telomerase activity could be developed using in silico and/or in vitro methods. Telomerase activators could be useful in treating age related diseases, while telomerase inhibitors could be novel therapies for a range of cancers.

PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/080604 (WO 2009/055364, published 04/30/2009); U.S. Patent Application No. 12/701,843 (US-2010-0160260, published 06/24/2010); U.S. Patent Application No. 12/701,947 (US-2010-0158798, published 06/24/2010); U.S. and international applications have been filed.

Wistar is seeking to collaborate with a corporate partner to use this technology to develop small molecule modulators of telomerase. An exclusive license or sponsored research to further develop the technology would be considered.

Andrew J. Gillis, Anthony, P. Schuller & Emmanuel Skordalakes, Structure of the Tribolium castaneum telomerase catalytic subunit TERT, Nature 455:633-637, 2008.

Rouda S, Skordales E. Structure, 2007, Nov. 15(11):1403-12. Structure of the RNA binding domain of telomerase: Implications for RNA recognition and binding.