Zagit Gaymalov, Ph.D., a recent graduate of College of Pharmacy Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is CEO of a new company created in conjunction with his former academic advisor UNMC faculty member Dr Alexander “Sasha” Kabanov.
UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer company, played an important role in company formation.
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| Zagit Gaymalov, Ph.D. |
During a noon seminar on Wednesday, May 30 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium, Dr. Gaymalov will discuss career path in University startup and his experience with the company. The seminar is for postdocs, graduate students and others who want to attend.
An obesity solution
NeuroNano Pharma is in the pre-clinical stage of the development of leptiPOL “, weight loss drug in the form of nasal spray.
Leptin is what tells us we’re full. People who don’t get enough of it in their brains tend to keep eating — and have to live with all the resulting consequences.
But it’s difficult for sufficient amount of leptin to get into the brain of people with obesity. While their body makes much leptin, the transport of leptin from blood to brain is impaired in obese patients.
A nano breakthrough
A solution to this problem would be sought after by millions. And NeuroNANO Pharma team believes they may have found it.
Dr. Kabanov’s group in collaboration with Dr. William Banks from University of Washington created, and UNeMed patented the technology that helps delivering leptin to the brain by linking it to a polymer.
Linkage to a polymer helps body deliver leptin to the brain.
In rodent models, it is shown to take effect within 20 minutes. If proven successful, in practice, a person would take the product before eating.
Increased leptin levels in the brain hunger center would signal the body to stop eating, and to burn fat.
Outside recognition
NeuroNano Pharma — which seeks funding to advance the leptiPOL” research — recently was designated a finalist in The Licensing Executives Society Foundation Graduate Student Business Plan Competition.