Development of Sodium Nitrite as a Repurposed Pharmaceutical Agent

“Intellectual property (IP) development and the licensing of IP is an essential component of innovation in our knowledge-based economy. Each year, major IP deals between companies help drive innovation and ensure that new products continue to reach businesses and consumers.” The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pleased to announce that it has received the “Deals of Distinction Award™” along with Hope Pharmaceuticals and Aires Pharmaceuticals from the Licensing Executive Society (LES). This award was announced at the 2009 annual LES Meeting in San Francisco on October 21st and was awarded in the Industry-University Government Interface Sector. The award for this category is a group of licensing agreements for the development of sodium nitrite as a repurposed pharmaceutical agent potentially effective against a number of serious medical conditions. The NIH, supported by four university collaborators, was able complete exclusive license agreements with Hope Pharmaceuticals (for infused delivery) and Aires Pharmaceuticals (for inhaled delivery) to develop new treatments for conditions not well-managed by existing therapies. 

The license agreements were based upon the discovery by four NIH institutes (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Heart Lung & Blood Institute, Clinical Center, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) and four universities (Loma Linda University, Louisiana State University, University of Alabama, and Wake Forest University) that low, physiological and non-toxic concentrations of sodium nitrite could be used in disease indications such as pulmonary hypertension, ischemia-reperfusion injury, hemolytic disease, hemoglobinopathies (including sickle cell disease) and cerebral vasospasm. Sodium nitrite is currently only available to patients by intravenous delivery for the treatment of cyanide poisoning. 

The final license agreements are a testament to the willingness of all sides to work together with the hope that their efforts will culminate in new safe and effective treatments for significant diseases.