title: Translating connexin biology into therapeutics.
abstract: It is 45 years since gap junctions were first described. Universities face increasing commercial pressures and declining federal funding, with governments and funding foundations showing greater interest in gaining return on their investments. This review outlines approaches taken to translate gap junction research to clinical application and the challenges faced. The need for commercialisation is discussed and key concepts behind research patenting briefly described. Connexin channel roles in disease and injury are also discussed, as is identification of the connexin hemichannel as a therapeutic target which appears to play a role in both the start and perpetuation of the inflammasome pathway. Furthermore connexin hemichannel opening results in vascular dieback in acute injury and chronic disease. Translation to human indications is illustrated from the perspective of one connexin biotechnology company, CoDa Therapeutics, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: CoDa Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, United States.
authors.forename: Bradford J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Duft
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Yeri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: c.green@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010330:Patents as Topic; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: Connexin; Connexin patent; Inflammation; Research translation; Vascular leak