NASHVILLE, TN (November 2, 2000) - The next "super aspirin" may be among a collection of 196 patents and pending patents given today to Vanderbilt University by Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG). P&G's proprietary COX-2 Inhibitor Technology shows promise in improving the safety of medications commonly taken for pain, inflammation, and fever reduction.
Along with the patents, P&G is donating all associated intellectual property. As the sole new owners of the technology, Vanderbilt will benefit from all future revenues after the technology is further developed, tested, and commercialized.
"We are pleased that Vanderbilt's international reputation in the area of eicosanoids (COX products) has been affirmed by this generous gift of intellectual property, and we are excited with the opportunity to develop it into something of clinical value," said Lee E. Limbird, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for Research.
Procter & Gamble's external consultants identified Vanderbilt as the university that is most uniquely qualified to further develop the COX-2 Inhibitor Technology due to their on-going leadership in COX-2 research. In addition, Vanderbilt's Office of Enterprise Development gives the framework for commercializing the technology.
"We're excited that Vanderbilt will continue to develop and test this significant technology, and that Vanderbilt will benefit both financially and academically from this donation," said P&G's Chief Technology Officer Gil Cloyd. "Best of all, we'll get to see this promising science furthered to improve peoples' lives - even if it will no longer be in P&G hands."
The gift of COX-2 Inhibitor Technology is the sixth in a series of Procter & Gamble technology donations to leading universities and research institutions.
About COX-2 inhibitor technology
COX-2 Inhibitor Technology compounds block the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and like other recently marketed COX-2 inhi
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Contact: Leigh MacMillan
leigh.macmillan@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
615-322-4747
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1-Nov-2000